"Word Game" Linda Herrmann, Recreation Worker

"Select a word. Ask for words that can be made from the selected word, using the letters only as often as they are in the word, no capital letters, and at least three letters to the word. The spelling and meaning of each word shown should also be a requirement. Example: sacrifices---rice-a food, face-front of head, ice-frozen water, etc."

"Thanking My ABCs" Thomas Siekes, Reading Teacher

"I usually have the students sit on the floor in either a circle or a horseshoe. I then have children say "Thanks for".. something that begins with an "A" and continue around the circle, until they get to "Z". If in a horseshoe, when it reaches an end, they must repeat what the last person said and then say their own. I found that the children love this and it is a spin on Geographic ABCs."

"Cherry Pie" John Kuchma, Teacher

"I have the students get in a circle. I say the word (Pie) The person I pick says the word. The next 3 people spell it. The 4th person says Cherry Pie the 5th person in line sits in their seat. If the students misspell the word they sit down. Use it for spelling."

"AR: Accelerated Reader" Louise Haines, Floyd M. Jewett Elementary

"I also use Accelerated Reader. This is my 4th year and it gets better all the time. I schedule 60 minutes of reading per day, 50 of it independent. The students must earn 80-100% on the comprehension test of the book they read, to earn a ticket. On Friday, I roll a dice and draw that number of tickets from the TOPS jar. I teach second grade and before Christmas break I had four SUPER readers and four INDEPENDENT readers. When we reach those certification goals, students call their parents from the classroom. If they can't be reached at home, we call them at work! Parents don't mind. Matter of fact, we haven't had to make any behavior calls because we are too busy reading and making positive phone calls!"

Family Reading Night Diedre, 2nd Grade Teacher: Springfield, Missouri

"To encourage families to read together and help children understand that reading is respected by all ages, try the following idea. Purchase 4 bookbags that are unique. Fill these bags with books of various reading levels and interests. Every day 4 children get to take these home to share with their families. It will be Family Reading Night at their home. Everyone can read a book, but the entire family has to do this together. It can be silent reading or reading a story out loud. It can take 20 minutes to accomplish. The bookbag is brought back the next day and 4 more children take them home. With 20 students in your class , each child would have a chance every week to take the bags home. You can adjust this to your class size and family situations. You may even get families to donate books that their children no longer read! You can ask a parent to check in the bookbags each morning to inventory for you and assign the next students who will get the bags that night. You don’t have to do all the work."