Kids can Dream Big with Read It

Every February, Lincoln School librarian Joanie Templeton organizes the Read It program for students up to 6th grade to encourage reading activities throughout the month.

Working with teachers to set goals for each class, Templeton coordinates prizes with local businesses and organizations to reward students who meet their goals. The program culminates each year with a Read It Night celebration for students and their families.

This year, Templeton expanded the program to include preschoolers, so eight grade levels are participating. Each teacher provides a different reading goal for their students, based on the age and needs of the students.

“My goal for first grade was to read 200 minutes, which equaled about 10 minutes a day. Going over that amount is awesome, but only 10 minutes are allowed to be recorded each day. It’s to form that habit of daily reading,” said Templeton.

In addition, Templeton worked with local area businesses who provided gift certificates again this year to students who meet their goals. The more than 10 local businesses and restaurants who provide prizes all agreed to increase their gift certificate amount from $5 to $10 per student.

Templeton received $200 in donations from American Legion Post #9. She also received $500 from an anonymous donor. The donations will allow Templeton to purchase eight Kindles and cases to give to students as prizes. Any student who has completed their reading challenge will be entered for a chance to win a Kindle. The PTSO purchased a book for each Pre-K through 6th grade student. Those will be handed out at Read It Night.

“Our theme for this year is ‘Dream Big, Read,’ and we’re going to turn our Read It Night into a pajama party,” said Templeton. Read It Night will take place Thursday, Mar. 19 from 5-7 p.m. and is open to Pre-K through 6th grade students and their families.

Families will have a variety of reading and learning activities to participate in throughout the evening. The Lincoln Library will cohost an activity table with Templeton and the school library. Students who participated in both Read It and the Lincoln Library’s Winter Reading Challenge will be entered for an opportunity to throw pies at the librarians on Read It Night.

Each teacher will have a literacy activity table for students and their families, and dinner will be provided by local organizations.

The Blackfoot Valley Optimist Club will be providing a spaghetti dinner for the evening, provided in part by donations from Helena Costco. The PTSO will provide dessert for students.