So, today was a slow day as we gave the site of my port time to rest a bit (though I could have sworn that I was working more than the port!) and start some heavy-duty antibiotics to keep infection from starting.
Highlight came in form of a card from two friends – that made me both laugh aloud and tear-up as I felt so loved from so far. One friend- Vicki Boyd– shared a poem by Rogue Dalton that had been shared with her by Georgia Heard. The other friend – Lisa Fowler – drew for me two of her paintings that hang in Boston zoo. Seriously.
Both friends reminded me with this hand-made card how fabulous it is when we remember our friends with something we write. We draw. We cook. We make ourselves. When we remember just exactly what they like and find just that thing for them. (Adria Klein – I am still enjoying that chocolate.)
I’m reminded of a study that Teri Lesesne (of course) did years ago – before emoji on a text message was a thing – that revealed what happened when a small group of middle school kids could swap thoughts about books with college kids, via email or snail-mail. One outcome was that some of the middle schoolers preferred snail mail. Reasons ranged from “It is better to get a letter you can hold” to “You can’t put stickers on an email.” (While technology was still enjoyed, poor keyboarding skills or lack of internet made email conversation less powerful than Teri and other researchers had expected.)
As we begin to move toward thinking about summer reading programs, maybe the best motivator from teachers to kids is the occasional postcard reminding them to read, asking what they have read, offering the corny knock knock joke, mentioning a new title that one child/teen might like.
So principals-if a teacher asks for the budget to buy 2 or 3 cards per kid and help in office getting them addressed and budget for stamps, will you help? Research shows that in-your-hand note is something kids like. You can read more research about summer reading programs on my blog site here.
Holding that letter, reading that note, eating those cookies, wrapping-up in the blanket someone chose just for me, enjoying the fresh coffee beans left on my porch, smelling the flowers delivered because a teacher remembered me saying that particular flower is my favorite, reading the historical journal about a young girl turned teacher the sender knew I would love (and I do!), staying warm in the “f***ing girl-power” socks that the giver knew would make me belly-laugh, hanging out for the WHOLE day binge-watching TV with best friend Suzanne because energy is too low for anything else and she promised that “just hanging here is great!” — all of these things have meant so much to me in part because they were in some way created by the giver.
If your summer reading program hasn’t been working, then remember Teri’s research and disrupt the norm. Send a postcard of encouragement.
And add a sticker.
Praying for you daily, Kylene!!!! Your positive spirit is awe inspiring. Sending lots of love, healing energy and hugs from Michigan!!
Terry Gartelman Gonzalez (Former Katy ISD, OANE Teacher, Sundown Elementary)
You always inspire on many levels, Kylene. Now that I’ve retired from Collins library, I’m reading/writing with patients at Texas Children’s infusion lab. Any tips from an expert on all of the above are always welcome. Sending all good wishes!
Regards; from all of us.
I absolutely love this idea to promote and reinforce summer reading with students. I am currently an academic coach that is always looking for ways to help our teachers and students at a low cost so this is perfect. The aspect that motivates me the most to implement this in my school is the fact that it is something easy that has the potential for a high impact on students’ reading skills as well as their development in a love for literature and reading. We are a Title I school so sometimes access to texts is a challenge for our students. We have set up Little Free Libraries around the community to assist, so I would love for our school to encourage students to visit them throughout the summer and remind families about them using the postcards. We are also working on a grant to purchase paired texts in English and Spanish to promote and support home languages. While thinking through your post, this has given me the idea to make sure we have paired texts available in our little free libraries as well. The plan for the grant is to purchase take home resource kits including parent guides, activities, and responses to literature that will increase parent engagement and hopefully bridge some of the gap between school and home, but they will not be available by summer. We could at least get a jump start by providing a few paired texts in each library for students to access over the summer. Thank you so much for sharing your idea and making an impact on students. Sending best wishes for your health.
I think the idea of teachers writing postcards or letters to students over the summer to keep them motivated to do their summer reading, or just read in general is a wonderful idea. When students feel that their teachers care it creates a sense of passion and security. When students know their teachers are looking out for them, they are more motivated to do work. Although summer tends to go by very fast, we have to realize that summer is 2-3 months where students could potentially being doing nothing academic at all. Within those couple of months students’ academic achievement levels could decrease quickly. During the summer students typically have more free time to read, so why not encourage them to do so? Instead of sitting in front of a TV all day they could read a book every now and then, so that their brains are still being stimulated. Another good idea for teachers to do at the end of the year is to give their students a reading survey. Through the survey the teacher can gain a better understanding of what their students like to read, and then throughout the summer send them a postcard with book recommendations based on their interest. The student could also get the “remind” app and give their information to parents, so they can communicate with parents, and make sure they are keeping their children engaged over the summer. This blog gave some great ideas for summer reading that could help students come in more prepared for the next year of school.
This is such a great post, and so true! I still have the note that my second grade teacher wrote at the end of the school year, saying how much she enjoyed teaching me and how much she believed in me. It may take a few minutes, but in comparison to the impact that it has on a students’ self esteem and motivation is priceless. Summer programs are great, but what better way to get the students there an involved than to really make them feel appreciated, motivated and empowered. We have recently been talking about student engagement and classroom management at my current school. Teacher/student relationships always have the biggest impact on students and this is one way to establish that good relationship and motivation. I also enjoyed reading your blog linked in this one that give guidelines for summer reading. These are tips that I will surely pass on to parents at end of year conferences. I especially like the advice to allow student to “read easy” and read what they enjoy. In any grade level it is important to help establish a love for reading. I teach first grade and I even have to remind parents of this at a young age. Thanks for sharing your wonderful tips!
Postcards and communication among readers is such an excellent way to encourage summer reading. Thank you for the creative idea! I currently teach juniors who are often considering their educational futures. They speak regularly about college plans but are unclear about what college life truly entails. Linking my juniors to college students would benefit these juniors in many ways. My students could be challenged to read higher level texts that would be relevant to their college level friends. Additionally, high school students could get relevant information about the realities of college. (It has been quite a while since I had an authentic college experience that was not online!) Encouraging notes could be helpful to students living in poverty as well. These students are often at a disadvantage as many of them grow up without access to rich literacy experiences and advanced vocabulary. These students often enter school fighting to catch up. Sending students regular postcards would encourage them to practice writing tasks. Perhaps teachers could send articles or short stories for students to read as well. Every student does not have the same access to bookstores and libraries due to monetary or transportation limitations. Being sent items to read and write about could ensure that learning does not end with the start of summer. I wonder, how would you recommend linking high school students to college students for communication? Would similar results come if underclassman were paired with upperclassmen? I would be interested to try such a program at my school and perhaps allow student groups to meet and discuss summer reading in a meet-and-greet format at the school. I know schools will be open for summer school. Why not add another opportunity for students to cultivate a love of reading?
As teachers, we are ALWAYS asking ourselves, “How can I get my students to read more books–especially over the summer months?” The best way is to find something that is engaging to them. What better way to do so than by writing letters? Students will get excited to read them and, not only that, but they will have the opportunity to write back. These children are also learning socialization skills, such as how to communicate and how to write someone a letter which, though not as common in today’s world, is still an essential skill to have for anyone at any age. I think sending letters is a fun and engaging way to get them learning more about the world and becoming social beings. The best part is that this activity can be done with any age group, as sending letters is something that everyone has access to, as opposed to computers and internet. Some of my students have access to computers and other forms of technology but not everyone. With sending letters, everyone can participate whenever the want to do so. I really love this idea! Also, I am sure that this personal touch means a lot to students which they can keep for years to come. I like the idea of sending postcards of different places, including various treats and gifts, too, if you choose to send them (which we know can become rather expensive!). Still, the letters are a easy and cheap way but the impact is ever-lasting.
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