I taught third grade for16 years. This year I am teaching drama in an elementary school. I have gotten over my fear of kindergarteners, but still laugh at the random bits of “important” information they MUST share while I am reading a story or teaching the lesson. Anyhow, what I love about this job is that it is literature in action.  |
| Thank you Penguin Young Readers! |
A couple of weeks ago I was asked if I wanted to participate in a spooky and Wicked blogger campaign. There was a list of books and types of candy. We were asked to pick a candy, and which creative way the book could be promoted. For the candy, I selected Reese’s (YUMMMM!!!) because I can eat them at school, but due to my partner’s deadly peanut allergy I can’t have them at home. What made this fun is that I had NO idea which book I would get. The silver package arrived last week filled with Reese and Small Spacesby Katherine Arden.
For the creative way to discuss the book I decided to tie it into drama. I selected a couple of spookier chapters from the book. The fourth and fifth grade classes will read the chapters and as a class we will write a script to act out the story. On Monday and Tuesday one of the fifth grade classes started the process. They were so excited. As we were writing a couple of students loved the bellowing Mr. Easton, but what sucked in all the kids were the white eyes of the bus driver and the sharp white teeth on the RED lips. A few hands went up after that, and students pleading to play the part of the bus driver. Unfortunately, we ran out of time to finish this week; but kids left excited to come back and finish it next week.
Over the years I have loved helping kids find books that will turn them into readers. Even though, I am no longer have a formal position as a reading teacher I do get to introduce so many other kids to great stories. As I look forward to the rest of the school year I want to incorporate as much script writing and performing what is written as possible. Starting with a spook story is a fun way to get readers and actors excited about books.
The Wicked Reads Campaign Schedule
YOUNG ADULT
Sour Patch Kids
October 29 – A Warrior’s Library – Creative Instagram Picture
October 30 – Jo Loves to Read – Creative Instagram Picture
October 31 – Under the Book Cover – Characters: Costumes and Trick-o-Treat Candy
November 1 – The Page Mistress – Unboxing + Creative Instagram Picture + Sour vs. Sweet Post
November 2 – YA Bibliophile – Halloween Recipe
Twizzlers
October 29 – Read with Allison – Dream Halloween Party + Guests
October 30 – The MegaNerd – Inspired by the book: Pumpkin Decorating
October 31 – Bookbabe88 – Creative Instagram Picture
November 1 – Jena Brown Writes – Creative Instagram Picture + Halloween costumes based on a few characters from the book
November 2 – Treestand Book Reviews – Unboxing + Spooky Game
Jolly Rancher Sticks
October 29 – A Court of Coffee and Books – Spooktacular Book Reading Party
October 30 – Cheyenne.Reads – Photoshoot in a historical cemetery
October 31 – The Bibliophagist – Creative Halloween Picture + Characters: Friends or Enemies
November 1 – Book Fidelity – Snack + Drink Recommendations
November 2 – Twinning for Books – Dia de los murtos: Day of the dead spotlight with fun gifs and spooky facts about the holiday
Swedish Fish
October 29 – Bookwormgram – Spooky Halloween/Autumn Creative Instagram Picture
October 30 – The Review Room – Moodboard + Playlist
October 31 – Books coffee and repeat – Creative Graphic
November 1 – Page travels – Creative Instagram Picture
November 2 – Kat’s Books – Horror Movie Listicle
Snickers
October 29 – Bookish Lifestyle – Haunting Creative Instagram Picture + Truth or Dare Game
October 30 – Tenacious Reader – Digital Blackout Poetry
October 31 – live.laugh.love.library – Halloween themed picture + Listicle
November 1 – Sarcasm & Lemons – Aesthetic Board
November 2 – Fangirl.Bookgram – Halloween themed Creative Instagram picture
MIDDLE GRADE
Whoppers
October 29 – Two Points of Interest – Halloween themed Creative Instagram Picture
October 30 – The O.W.L – Why reading is better than candy
October 31 – Bookfoolery – Review + Blog Picture
November 1 – Polish & Paperbacks – Inspired by the Book: Nail Art
November 2 – Books 4 your kids – Creative Instagram Picture
Skittles
October 29 – Lacey Does Lit – Inspired by the Book: Decorate a pumpkin
October 30 – Bookish Friends and Feline Fancies – Creative Instagram Picture
October 31 – The Bookish Chick – Matching Halloween Monsters to YA + MG Books
November 1 – BookCrushin – Pairing Books with Candies + Spooky Playlist
November 2 – Reading is Better with Cupcakes – Yummy treats to eat while reading
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
October 29 – Always in the Middle – Review
October 30 – Hapa Bookworm – Creative Instagram Picture + Inspired by the book: Playlist
October 31 – Four Violet Reviews – Creative Craft Project
November 1 – The Boy Reader – Classroom students re-enact book scenes
November 2 – Fables & Wren – Creative Instagram Picture
Kit Kat
October 29 – Iwanicki Adventures in Teaching – Creative Instagram Picture
October 30 – Teachers Who Read – Classroom Writing Activity
October 31 – A Little Bit Biscardi – Halloween themed Creative Instagram Picture
November 1 – Looking Glass Reads – ‘Gimme a break’: 5 times the characters needed to take a break and share a Kitkat bar
November 2 – Brunette Biblio – Replacing the main characters with the Sanderson Sisters (Hocus Pocus)
Starburst
October 29 – 4th Grade Unicorns – Creative Instagram Picture
October 30 – Trissina Loves Books – Halloween themed content + Scary Autofill Question
October 31 – The Pages In-Between – Book + Candy Pairing with Spooky Kid Costumes
November 1 – A Bella Fairytale – Creative Instagram Picture + Inspired by the book: Dog Costumes
November 2 – Bridget and the Books – Bridget’s Halloween Celebrations
