Splashing

** By: Anna Plotnikova, Ally Smith, and Sarah Pulver ** ** What did you do this summer? Did you go swimming? Did you ride your bike? How about reading? Did you dive into a good book? Well, we know that Joselyn Bradley and Tayge Molino did the 600 minute challenge, and Courtney Patrick and Chad Banzof did the Summer Book Clubs. Did you accept the challenge? ** ** Let’s plunge into the facts of the Summer Reading Challenge. To meet this summer reading goal, you had to read 600 minutes and record it on a log. If you met this requirement, Mrs. Flerlage would give you a prize, a certificate, and reward you with an ice cream coupon. ** ** We pulled a few students and got some information. Jocelyn Bradley succeeded in the 600 minute challenge, and it took her only one book. To meet this goal she read //Diary of a Wimpy Kid,// and she met it easily. Tayge Molino chose to participate and read three books. His favorite book was //The Million Dollar Throw// and his least favorite was //The Magic Tree House//. ** ** Now, let’s talk about the Summer Book Clubs. During the book clubs you selected a book and had to read it over the summer. After you finished reading it, you attended a party as a reward for your hard work. Trying to connect the party to the book, the parties included island drinks, a movie, and meeting at the Crosscutter’s stadium. Teachers that volunteered their time to run Summer Book Clubs were Mrs. Zielewicz, Mrs. Puller, Mr. Pearson, and Mrs. Flerlage. The book choices were //Island of the Blue Dolphins//, //The Trading Game//, //The Boy in the Striped Pajamas//, //The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian//, //Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key,// and //The Best Christmas Pageant Ever//. ** ** “About 35 students participated in this summer program,” says fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Puller. She got the idea because the attendance was low at the summer open library. “Not a lot of kids would show up, but I wanted them to read and discuss different books. I participate in a book club, myself, and wanted to bring that to the school, but I can’t take all the credit. Mrs. Flerlage helped a lot too.” Mrs. Puller’s favorite book that she read over the summer was //Island of the Blue Dolphins.// When she was in seventh grade she read this book. ** ** Whether it’s the summer reading challenge, book clubs, or just curling up with a good book, it’s important to read some everyday. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy everything else. Next year, we hope to be seeing you participating in these summer reading activities too. **
 * Splashing into Spectacular Stories **