March Reading Month @ Eastside

By Deb Nihart

March Reading Month Photos

The students of Constantine at Eastside Elementary Joined Club Caterpillar to celebrate March Reading Month led by Media Specialist Mrs. Deb Nihart.

The staff encouraged the students to read daily and track their reading minutes. The theme, Join Club Caterpillar was chosen in order to celebrate author Eric Carle. Library classes enjoyed his books while studying the Life Cycle of a Butterfly and continued by making their own science books.

As the reading logs came in the caterpillar left our library growing daily. It continued to travel down the halls of Eastside as new segments documented the reading minutes. The students did a fantastic job, doubling their reading minutes from last year, totaling 92,534 minutes! Mrs. Bev Smith, Music Instructor added to the fun singing books during music classes. Mrs. Dawn Melville from the Art Department, had her students making the most wonderful Eric Carle caterpillars and butterflies! She helped Mrs. Nihart turn the hallways into the most amazing sight! The children were astonished as they followed the strolling caterpillar back to the library just in time to change into a beautiful butterfly.

On March 19, 2007 the final celebration took place where High School Librarian, Mrs. Chris Barnes assisted Mrs. Nihart as Classroom Champions were announced. Mrs.Susan Middleton's first grade class won top honors with a total of 11,036 reading minutes. Mrs. Sheree Sorensen's first grade class respectfully placed second and Mrs. Terry Steward's second grade class were awarded third place. Grade level winners were presented with medals and certificates. Over 175 Eric Carle Book Reviews were written and the building spent shared reading time with the younger students. The staff at Eastside truly pulled together showing students the value or reading. As the children will tell you-When You Read, You Grow!