Autographs & Summer Books

A New Look at Autographs

Many teachers at all grade levels use autograph books as a way to end the school year. Students sign yearbooks, self-published materials, and other kinds of materials. In the 1880s, autograph books had a different format. Seeing this format from the past can give your students new ideas on how to make autograph sessions more meaningful to both the author and the recipient. The site adds value to classes in history and writing. It also gives students a new perspective on the concept of autographs.

To see the html version of an 1880s autograph book, go to http://www.laurasnyctales.com/book/intro.html

Summer Books for Students

As the year winds down, students make plans for the summer, just like you do. Research shows that students lose ground during the summer months. Some research indicates that the drop will be lessened or eliminated if a young student reads just eight books during the summer. These next few weeks are a perfect time to promote summer reading to your students. Here are a few ideas from the International Reading Association:
Make sure students have library cards. If a field trip to the library isn’t feasible, consider bringing the public librarian to your classroom to help you. A librarian makes a great salesman for summer reading, as well.
Look to local businesses to help cover the cost of books for students. Students are much more likely to read a book that they own.
Have students set a goal to read at least 8 books during the summer.
Rather than reading a single book, use these last “Teacher Read-Aloud Times” to promote several books.
Make parents aware of ways they can help their child keep reading. Reading Rockets offers parents a wealth of suggestions. You can direct them to http://www.readingrockets.org/calendar/summer#parent to give them useful information.
Have students develop a written plan for their summer reading.
Taken from: E-newsletter from the Texas State Teachers Association May 2009 http://www.tsta.org/