Pre-K Read-A-Thon
K280 Read-A-Thon
Welcome to the Read-a-Thon!
The K280 PTA, in a partnership with the K280 Diversity Committee and Terrace Books, is excited to announce the 2021 K280 Read-a-thon & Fundraiser.
The PTA and Diversity Committee has planned events, activities and book sales all month long. Here’s a sampling of what’s happening. Stayed tuned for more information.
- Read-a-thon fundraiser to raise money for K280
- Sunday morning (virtual) storytimes at Terrace Books exclusively for K280 families
- Literacy workshops for grownups
- 20 percent discounts on children’s books at Terrace Books
- Book drive for K280 families
- Families can purchase curated book bundles featuring diverse books from Terrace Books. Families will get a sneak peak later this month.
- K280 teachers are creating a limited supply of literacy kits to supplement select books to extend the book’s lessons. The PTA will be selling these kits in the coming weeks. The kits will include the book, all materials needed for the project and instructions.
During the first week of March, our whole school will read the same book everyday and children will be invited to explore each theme by dressing up.
We’ll continue updating this page throughout the month and will send updates and reminders to keep you informed. If you are interested in volunteering to help with Read-a-thon activities, please email us at k280pta@ps10.org
Register Here
GETTING STARTED:
1. Signing up:
We encourage you to activate your reader’s account today by clicking on https://www.read-athon.com/readers/r/itCNLT and follow the instructions listed on the website.
2. Log and track minutes and money raised:
Once you sign up, you’ll receive an email from colby@read-a-thon.com that includes a link and secret code for your personal Read-a-Thon page. Here you can enter and track the minutes your family plans to read and see how much money you've raised.
3. Promote the Read-a-Thon:
You can also use this page to easily promote the Read-a-Thon through emails, texts and social media.
Your personal page can be found at https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers. If you have trouble logging in, please email the PTA. You can also follow our school’s progress on the K280 Read-a-thon Page.
To Add Read-a-thon to Your Phone for Easy Access:
-
In Safari, paste the web address. Enter the secret code.
-
Tap the upload button
-
Scroll down to “Add to Home Screen”
Activity Kits Now on SALE!!!
We are excited to share that our activity kits are now ready for purchase!
Please click this link to purchase!
Learn More About the Kits Here!
Outside In Nature Kit
Homemade Love Sensory Kit
Festival of Colors Art Kit
Harlem Grown Gardening Kit
K280 Celebrates READ ACROSS AMERICA!
Please see our K280 READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK-3 1 poster for a printable copy
Wednesday, March 10 - Celebrate You Day!
Come to school dressed in something that represents you and your family! This can be connected to your family’s culture(s), heritage, traditions, music, languages, foods, and much more!
Thursday, March 11 - Favorite Animal Day!
Come to school dressed as your favorite animal- real or imaginary!
Friday, March 12 - Silly Socks Day!
Wear socks that you want to show our school community!
Monday, March 15 - Favorite Book Character Day!
Come to school dressed as your favorite book character!
Tuesday, March 16 - Fun Hair Day!
Come to school dressed as a superhero!
Friday, March 19 - Dream Big Day!
We are asking families to help your child think about what inspires them. Come to school dressed as what inspires you!
Friday, March 26 - Silly Hat Day!
Come dressed in your Silly Hat! Make a silly hat and bring it to school for everyone to see!
Windows, Mirrors, and Doors
The development of literacy skills begins early in young children through their experiences with language (storytelling, songs, talking) and literature (reading books together with children, back-and-forth discussions about stories, interactions with diverse books). Reading aloud with children nurtures their development of visual imagery, story comprehension, word meaning, and phonemic awareness. Reading also strengthens children's social, emotional, and character development as books become tools that can be used to visualize and communicate about tough feelings and thoughts.
(Information sourced from: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/why-reading-aloud-to-kids-helps-them-thrive
Books are MIRRORS, WINDOWS, and DOORS for all who open and delve into their stories.
We need diverse books because we need books in which children can see reflections of themselves – but also look through and see other worlds.
(RUDINE SIMS BISHOP)
Rudine Sims Bishop, Ph.D
Rudine Sims Bishop, Ph.D
Rudine Sims Bishop, professor emerita at Ohio State University, has been referred to as the “mother of” multicultural children's literature for her groundbreaking American children’s literature research.
"One of the reasons literature exists is to transform human experience, and reflect it back to us so that we can better understand it. Through the mirror of literature we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience. Reading then, becomes a mean of self-affirmation, of reaffirming our place in the world and our society." (Rudine Sims Bishop)
Books as Mirrors
"The availability of books about various cultural groups becomes important because books are not only mirrors, they are also socializers. They give subtle messages about who and what we value in our society. When children cannot find themselves in books, or when they see themselves presented only as laughable stereotypes, they learn a powerful lesson about how much they are undervalued in the society in which they are a part. They should be able to see reflections of their culture- their values, beliefs, attitudes, institutions, social relations, language, customs; their "design for living."" (From Windows and Mirrors: Children's Books and Parallel Cultures)
Rudine Sims Bishop talks about books as mirrors, which are texts in which children can find themselves, their families, and their communities reflected and valued. When students read books where they see characters like themselves who are valued in the world, they feel a sense of belonging. (From https://www.weareteachers.com/mirrors-and-windows/)
Books as Windows
Books as Doors
“These windows are also sliding glass doors, and readers have only to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created and recreated by the author." (From https://ehe.osu.edu/news/listing/rudine-sims-bishop-diverse-childrens-books)
Diverse Books
Diverse books can become the windows, doors, and mirrors that we need to learn the stories of others similar and different from us, from the past and present.
The Danger of a Single Story
"Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice -- and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding."
Why Diverse Books are Important for Everyone- Not Just Marginalized Kids
https://diversebooks.org/why-diverse-books-are-important-for-everyone-not-just-marginalized-kids/
Library Questionnaire
This is a checklist that can be used to analyze how diverse and culturally responsive home (and classroom) libraries are. It is a tool that can be used to find gaps and spaces in libraries to build up diverse library collections- even at home!
https://www.leeandlow.com/uploads/loaded_document/408/Classroom-Library-Questionnaire_FINAL.pdf
Book List
- Grown Up Reads
- Black Lives Matter Resources by K280 Committee
- African American Picture Books Featuring Females
- African American Picture Books Featuring Males
- Multicultural Valentine's Day Children's Books (Books About Love & Self-Love)
- Affirming Picture Books About Hair, Skin and Self-Love
- COVID-19 Children's Books
- Let's Talk About Race: Anti-Racist Book Recommendations
- School Themed Picture Books for Kids
- Food Themed Books for Kids
- Diverse & Inclusive Board Books for Infants & Preschoolers
- Diverse & Inclusive Picture Books for Kids
- Diverse & Inclusive Early Chapter Books for Kids
- Diverse & Inclusive Chapter Books
- Multicultural Re-imagined Fairy Tales
- Latinx & Afro-Latino Picture Books
- Asian and Pacific Island Picture and Chapter Books
- Caribbean Picture Books
- Elections, Voting, Activism and Citizenship
- Wedding Themed Books for Kids
- Meditation/Yoga & Mindfulness Books for Kids
- Muslim-Themed Books
- Native/Indigenous Picture Books
- Picture Books Set in Africa
- Children's Books About Disabilities
- Indian Picture Books for Kids
- Harlem Renaissance Children's Books
- LGBTQ+ Themed Books
- Diverse and Inclusive Graphic Novels for Kids
- Diversity of Political Thought Books for Kids
- Earth Day Children's Books
- Grandparent's Day Picture Books
- Mother's Day Children's Books
- Father's Day Themed Books
- Juneteenth Books
- Black Music Month Book Recommendations for Kids
- Diverse & Inclusive Halloween Books for Kids
- For Kids with Incarcerated Parents
- Thanksgiving Books for Kids
- Multicultural/Diverse Christmas Books for Kids
- Hanukkah Books for Kids
- Martin Luther King Jr. Children's Books
Library Resources
Although libraries are not open for browsing, most are open for lobby service.
You can go online, put books on hold and choose where to pick them up.
Can't Make it to The Library?
The Brooklyn Public Library offers many of its titles as e-books, including picture books.
Brooklyn Public Libraries are not open for browsing, most are open for lobby service. You can go online, put books on hold and choose where to pick them up.
Book Recommendations
The PTA and Diversity Committee has made it easy for you to check out our recommendations from the library. Check out our list of general book recommendations and diverse book recommendations. You can easily put them on hold. Note many of the titles are also available as e-books.
E-books and Audiobooks
The Brooklyn Public Library offers many of its titles digitally, including picture books. This website can be used to search for ebooks and audiobooks to borrow online. https://www.bklynlibrary.org/borrow/ebooks-audiobooks
Bklyn BookMatch
Do you need book recommendations? Bklyn BookMatch is a free service from the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) where a BPL librarian will create a customized reading list of 5 titles for you. Please fill out the form on this website for help with this service: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/bookmatch
Need a Library Card?
If you need a library card, a few libraries including Central Library, Flatbush Library and Red Hook Library are processing in-person library cards. For immediate access to e-books and digital resources, apply for an e-card at https://disc.bklynlibrary.org/ecard/
Upcoming Events
K280 Read-a-thon Calendar 2021 Register at https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/itCNLT |
|
Wednesday March 10 |
Celebrate You Day! Come to school dressed in something that represents you and your family! |
Thursday March 11 |
Favorite Animal Day! Come to school dressed as your favorite animal- real or imaginary! |
Friday March 12 |
Silly Sock Day! Wear socks that you want to show our school community! |
Sunday March 14 |
Virtual Storytime with Terrace Books @ 10 a.m. Meeting ID: 847 9724 9272 Code: K280 |
Monday March 15 |
Favorite Book Character Day! Come to school dressed as your favorite book character! Book Drive: Drop off your gently used books |
Tuesday March 16 |
Fun Hair Day! Come to school in a hairstyle that you want to show everyone! |
Wednesday March 17 |
Superhero Day! Come to school dressed as a superhero! |
Thursday March 18 |
Bed time Read Aloud with Mr. Alejandro (Class 273) @ 7:15 p.m. Meeting ID: 548 075 4188 Code: 665042 |
Friday March 19 |
Dream Big Day! Help your child think about what inspires them. Come to school dressed as what inspires you! |
Sunday March 21 |
Virtual Storytime with Terrace Books @ 10 a.m. Meeting ID: 847 9724 9272 Code: K280 |
Monday March 22 |
Bed time Read Aloud with Ms. Rachel (Art) @ 7:15 p.m. Meeting ID: 772 2337 5559 Code: 3gs1r4 |
Tuesday March 23 |
Bed time Read Aloud with Ms. Shannon (Class 128) @ 7:15 p.m. Meeting ID: 983 6283 4298 Passcode: x5NQHU |
Wednesday March 24 |
“Diverse Books for Young Children” workshop presented by K280 teacher Linda Pak @ 7:30 p.m. Meeting ID: 978 1437 4084 Passcode: diversity |
Thursday March 25 |
After-school Read Aloud with Ms. Brandy (Class 224) @ 4:30 p.m. Meeting ID: 890 9975 4631 Passcode: Louie Bed time Read Aloud with Ms.Gaylene at 7:15 p.m Meeting ID: 779 7331 7299 Passcode: zft9rQ |
Friday March 26 |
Silly Hat Day! Come dressed in your Silly Hat! Make a silly hat and bring it to school for everyone to see! |
Sunday March 28 |
Virtual Storytime with Terrace Books @ 10 a.m. Meeting ID: 847 9724 9272 Code: K280 |
Tuesday April 6 |
Last day of the Read-a-thon. Ends at 8 p.m. |
Contact Us
FAQ
Where can I order books?
All books can be ordered through the Terrace Books website, by calling the bookstore or in-person at the bookstore. Please note: Due to COVID-19, customers cannot enter the bookstore to look at books at this time.
https://www.communitybookstore.net/terrace-books
Where can I pick up my book orders?
Books can be picked up from Terrace Books. You will be notified by the bookstore when your order is ready for pick up.
How can I donate books to a classroom or another family in our K280 community?
When you order books on the Terrace Books website, you will be able to select the options to donate books to a classroom or a family at K280.
What if I want to order a book that's not on the book lists?
You will be able to search for books on the Terrace Books website. You can also reach out to the bookstore for help in ordering specific titles.
Can I look through books before purchasing them?
Yes! We will have books from our book packages list available for grown-ups to peruse through at tables after children have been dropped off in the parking lot. We ask for everyone's cooperation in being mindful of the time spent at these tables to ensure safety and access for all.
What is an art kit? Science kit?
These kits have been created to further the lessons and ideas from books from our book packages. Each kit comes with materials and instructions for an activity designed for our pre-k children.
How do the book bundles work?
Book bundles are one way for families to build up a collection of diverse books in their home libraries. Our book bundles have been curated and put together to support families' diverse needs and interests. Books from these lists can also be purchased individually.