|
|
Don't have an account yet? Sign up as a New User
|
|
|
|
Guest Users: 9
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| Welcome to Florida BookPALS! | |
"The way a book is read - which is to say, the qualities a reader brings to the book - can have as much to do with its worth as anything the author puts into it." ~Norman Cousins
Big, heartfelt THANKS go to each and every one of the 213 volunteers involved in BookPALS, PencilPALS and Special Events for the 2009-10 school year! You helped iginite a passion for reading and writing while bringing so many smiles to children all over the state! Many thanks also to all the teachers and administrators who support our programs by inviting us into their classrooms each week, sharing book recommendations and curriculum so that we may compliment your students' studies. Thank you!
If you haven't done so already, please take a moment to share your feedback on the surveys that have already been distributed. If you haven't received one, please contact Natalie Rogers.
Warm summer wishes to each of you! See you in the fall.
~Natalie
Jump to: Florida Supporters
Latest News & Updates:
| |
|
Friday, June 11 2010 @ 03:50 PM EDT
|
 |
Florida BookPALS is honored to receive a generous grant from Walt Disney World in the amount of $5,000 to launch a Junior BookPALS program for the 2010-11 school year.
Children who fail to read independently by 3rd grade rarely catch up later. Research has shown that reading aloud to children is one of the greatest predictors of reading achievement and school success.
As part of a wide-reaching campaign to improve children’s literacy since 1993, the SAG Foundation created Junior BookPALS, a service learning program, which brings together students from disparate demographics, across grades and schools. High school drama students are given the opportunity to read aloud to and tutor under-served elementary students in low performing public schools. The program engages high school students in activities that encourage compassion, caring, inspirational and intellectual stimulation for children in distressed communities.
Trained Junior BookPALS volunteers will be placed in under-served classrooms where they read aloud to and tutor children for one hour each week of the school year. Each participating classroom will receive a Book Basket containing twenty new, quality books to build classroom libraries. Leadership training by professional actors and certified teachers will encourage positive youth development. Adult-to-student and student-to-student mentoring relationships will be fostered as high school students engage in meaningful civic leadership activities that benefit the broader community.
As a result, children increase literacy skills, gain confidence with reading, and increase the amount of quality time spent reading. Children, Jr. BookPALS and teachers also increase affiliation and communication among their different communities. Through growing awareness and acceptance, stereotypes and prejudices can begin to break down.
Fourth graders from Catalina shine with Disney's Cheryl Boza, Community Relations Manager and Natalie Rogers, Florida Program Director
>>
|
Friday, June 11 2010 @ 03:35 PM EDT
|
|
PencilPALS students and volunteers celebrate another year of writing in Ms. Lewis's 4th grade class at Catalina Elementary in Orlando. Volunteers were impressed with the students' newly learned demonstration of cursive writing skills. Entertainment included a rousing volin concert, performed courtesy of the 4th graders. Each student received a goody bag comprised of literary trinkets and a book for summer reading. Here they are, proudly displaying their new book, Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary, a story about a 2nd grader's correspondence with a children's book author over the duration of four years.
>>
|
Friday, June 11 2010 @ 01:39 PM EDT
|
|
BookPALS & PencilPALS volunteer reader and writer, Jan Godown Annino, of Tallahassee,
visited in the library with two tropical classes of "islanders" for
Ruediger Elementary School's (Leon County) annual, coconut-accented
ISLAND DAYS festival, May 2010.
>>
|
Tuesday, June 08 2010 @ 08:21 PM EDT
|
|
Big CONGRATULATIONS to BookPAL LeRoy Mitchell of Tampa for being honored with the 2010 Fred T. Rodgers Award as Hillsborough County Public Schools Volunteer of the Year! LeRoy is a super stellar BookPAL who has been with the program since its inception over 10 years ago. Now retired, he volunteers at five schools each week, conducting interactive read alouds to over 25 classes. His belief in and devotion to this cause are immediately evident in the smiles on the faces of the young charges he inspires. Over the years, many of LeRoy's teachers have been moved from school to school, and they request him wherever they go. This most decidated BookPAL follows and honors every request made of him. The kind of person who changes lives and makes a real difference, he is leaving quite a literary legacy in the Tampa area. LeRoy, we honor and salute you for sharing so much of yourself, your time and your talent, with the children of Hillsborough County. Thank you for all you do, and CONGRATUALTIONS on your well deserved award!
Honarary BookPAL, LeRoy Mitchell
>>
|
Sunday, June 06 2010 @ 02:46 PM EDT
|
|
BookPAL Judy Babcock entertains OMA patrons during the summer picture book exhibit, Knuffle Funny: The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems. This is the OMA's 7th annual picture book art exhihbition. A reading area, discovery center, and outstanding programming accompany the exhibition, which runs from 5-22-10 to 8-29-10. Don't miss the Target Family Fun Day on June 12, from 10 a.m. - Noon. Enjoy a morning of fun with art activities, gallery hunts, music with Mr. Richard, storytelling with Bill Cordell and much more! Free admission on this day only!
>>
|
Sunday, June 06 2010 @ 01:57 PM EDT
|
|
Florida BookPALS participated in the 19th Annual Orlando International Fringe Festival by reading aloud to children and families attending Kids Fringe. A booth was set up to educate the community about our programs and services and to recruit fellow actors. Special thanks to Bill Cordell and Marcea Ustler for your fringetastic performances!
BookPAL Bill tellin' tales from the swamp!
>>
|
Monday, April 26 2010 @ 12:53 PM EDT
|
|
Compiled by Melissa Brandt, National BookPALS Book Reviewer
The Dollhouse Fairy
Written and illustrated by Jane Ray
Rosy loved her dollhouse. She also loved Saturdays. On this day, she spent time with her dad. However one Saturday, she woke up and her dad was gone. (He went to the hospital during the night.) Rosy was very sad. Not knowing what to do, so Rosy decided to play with her dollhouse. To her surprise, she found someone sleeping in one of the beds: a fairy named Thistle. Thistle kept Rosy company until her dad came home. (K-3)
A Cup for Everyone
Written and Illustrated by Yuskuke Yonezu
Pucca is a penguin. Pucca's father made cups for a living. However one day, his father had to leave home intending to sell cups in another village. Pucca sent home and tried to figure out how he could help his father. Pucca liked animals. His first cup was in the shape of a parrot (which closely resembled
his sitter, Miss Parrot). Miss Parrot was so impressed with his work that she told all her friends. And soon, everyone wanted an animal -shaped cup. (K-3)
Wangari's Trees For Peace (A true story)
Written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter
Wangargi grew up in South Africa. At that time, the land was plush with trees. However after attending school in America, Wangari returned to South Africa only to find the land baron. Then, Wangari made it her mission to replenish South Africa's supply of trees. She instilled the help of her friends. However, her quest was not easy. She was arrested for asserting her position. However with her persistence, South Africa's land was once again plush with trees. (Grades 1-5)
Goal!
Written by Mina Javaherbin
Illustrated by A. G. Ford
In South Africa, when Ajani and his friends play soccer they feel safe from the problems of the streets, the problems of the world. (Grades 1-3).
* Outside of the United States and Canada, the game of soccer is referred to as football.
* The illustrations remind me of Kadir Nelson's.
>>
|
Monday, April 26 2010 @ 12:51 PM EDT
|
|
Central Florida BookPALS and PencilPALS celebrate another successful school year at our end of year appreciation party, held on June 5, 2010.
From left row: Harriet Marsh, Lisa Derryberry, Bill Cordell, Vicki Kirkland, LeRoy Mitchell, Joan Cross, Carrie Cross
From back row: Judy Babcock, Hannah Cordell, Kennedy Kircher, Melissa Brandt, Ronee Henson
Natalie Rogers holds the new PencilPALS mascot. The beautiful drawing was created by local high schooler, Iliana Taylor and was presented by Judy Babcock as a gift to the PencilPALS program.
>>
|
Monday, April 26 2010 @ 12:51 PM EDT
|
|
Congratulations to BookPAL Taylor Mathews of Broward County for winning second place in the Violet Richardson Scholarship Award! Taylor won this award for her outstanding service and commitment to the Florida BookPALS program. One of our most loyal volunteers, Taylor began volunteering as a BookPAL when she was in just third grade. She has read to kindergarten children in after care programs every week of the school year, for the past seven years. She works closely with teachers and Media Specialists to choose quality literature that is beneficial to the class and supportive of the curriculum. She is a vitally important member of the classrooms she serves and a positive role model, helping children build self-esteem and develop verbal expression. Taylor also recently won first place, a $500 scholarship in the Juanita C. Phillips Oratorical Contest as well as winning 1st place for her Shrinklit poem & 2nd place children's book emergent readers at the Broward County District Literary Fair. BIG CONGRATULATIONS go to this exemplary young lady, a stellar literary role model for all ages!
>>
|
Monday, April 26 2010 @ 12:50 PM EDT
|
|
After BookPAL Stephanie Montalvo of Ft. Lauderdale read The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats to children at Oakridge Elementary in Hollywood, the children lavished her with their beautiful artwork.
BookPAL Bill Cordell of Ocoee received lots of sweet thank you letters from the children he read to this year. And thanks to a very generous donation from First Book, some of the children in our program were able to receive books as gifts from their BookPALS.Here's what they had to say about it.
>>
|
 
|
1 comments
Most Recent Post: 06/16 10:21AM by Anonymous
|
|
First | Previous | 1 2 | Next | Last |
|
|
Calendar of Events |
 |
|
|
There are no upcoming events | |
|
|
Florida Storyline |
|
|
|
WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE, BUT STORYLINE IS CURRENTLY OUT OF SERVICE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
| |
|
|
|
