Tag: boot camp

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Read, Read and Read Some More

R = Reading Wimpy Kid Books RULES!We are heading into our final two weeks of Bustin’ Thru Books Boot Camp!  Camp ends on March 27.  So far, the 93 campers involved have read over 30,000 minutes!  We will announce the total minutes read during our spring Talent Show on April 1, 2010.

In addition to Boot Camp, we have a school wide incentive called Raising A Reader. Parents enter minutes read from home and we enter minutes read from school.  The contest is sponsored by the International Reading Association and Parent Magazine.  We are hoping to win $5,000 for new library books.

For those who are looking to stock up on great books for home, our Parent Club is book hearthosting a Book Fair this week.  The event will be held in the Sensory Room which is located in the Early Childhood Wing.  While looking at the offerings on Friday (a sneak peak with two students named Lexi and Matthew), I found several I wanted to buy myself.

I was thrilled to see that one of my favorite authors,  Lois Lowry, was featured at the book fair.  A few years ago, I had dinner with her–and I felt like the luckiest person the world!  She spent dinner talking about her children, friends and life in Massachusetts.  Lois Lowry was everything I thought she would be–talented, insightful, caring, giving and funny.

Her book, Crow Call, is a personal narrative based on an experience with her father when Crow Callhe returns from the war.  This book focuses on the relationship between a parent and child  and the way they reconnect after being apart for so long.   Even though Lois’ experience took place after World War II, this book would be relevant for military families today.

Several of our readers have written book talks about books they have read and enjoyed.  You can check these out on Mrs. VandenBerg’s Library Blog.

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Bustin’ Thru Books: 1st Mission Completed

Since the beginning of February, Bustin’ Thru Books Boot Camp has been going strong on a nearly daily basis.  Throughout bustinthe day, 93 students head down to the multi-purpose room to accomplish one mission, and one mission only:  READ.  The Boot Camp is supervised by parent volunteers–consisting mainly of Dads…and these Dads have one mission in mind also: READING.

I wanted you to know that since our opening day, we have collectively read for:

Boot Camp will run through the end of April.  Our goal is to build reading stamina and endurance…and as a result become even better readers.  Here’s to completing mission #2 in March, and mission #3 in April.  We will continue to update you on our total minutes read.

Many thanks to all of you who have supported us with donated books from home and money toward bean bags.  All of these items are being put to great use.

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Dads…We Need You!

Jeff Wressell, Chief Operating Dad of DESK (Dad’s Empowering Super Kids) and organizer of the volunteers for Bustin’ thru Books has asked me to do another blog shout out for Dads.  He has received several volunteers, but needs more.  If you are interested…read on:

If you are a dad of a  child at Georgetown and have wondered how you can volunteer at school, we have the opportunity for you!  Jeff Wressell has organized a volunteer program called D.E.S.K (Dad’s Empowering Super Kids) and this will kick off in partnership with our  Bustin’ Through Books program.  The philosophy of DESK can be found here:  Dads Vol Program

Please consider participating in this opportunity!  We would love to have you participate and be present in the school.

To find out more about the program, visit BUSTIN’ THROUGH BOOKS.

To volunteer, complete this survey:  DADs WHO BUST THROUGH BOOKS

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Bustin’ Through Books

bean bagOn February 2, we begin to devote a portion of every day to focused time for reading.  This will be called BUST THROUGH BOOKS BOOT CAMP.

We need your help to get this up and running!  You can help in three different ways:

1.  If you are a DAD, volunteer to spend a day running our boot camp.  It’s easy…and fun.  Requirements:  Sign Up by clicking on this form; Wear Comfy Clothes; Bring your reading material (work and just for fun); SHOW UP WITH A SMILE, sense of humor and your books.  Jeff Wressell, Lily’s Dad, will be heading up the volunteer list.

2.  Donate $1.00 to your child’s classroom.  The money will go toward buying timers and bean bags.  Write:  BUST THROUGH BOOKS on your envelope, along with your child’s name and classroom.  (We will also take used vinyl bean bags and timers)

3.  Donate any well loved books from your home.  We have students who love to learn about non-fiction topics.  If you have any books on the topics listed below, please donate them to our program.  Books can be dropped off in the library with the incredible, wonderful Mrs. VandenBerg!

Science Topics of Study

* Solar System
* Matter
* Animals
* Plants
* Weather
* Rocks/Fossils
* Force and Motion
* Water
* Light/Sound

Social Studies Topics of Study
* Maps/Globes/Flags
* Hudsonville History
* Michigan History
* Early American History: American Indians, Africans, Europeans, Colonization and Settlement, Slavery, French American War
* Bill of Rights, U.S. Constitution
* Geography/Regions (Hudsonville, MI, U.S.)
* Government (local, state, federal)
* Economics
* Civics: citizenship/rules/trade/rights/responsibilities