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Summer reading programs in Hamilton County may experience a boost in performance this year. That's because of the work one local school did this year, challenging its students to read a mountain of material.
Early in the school year, Spring Creek librarian Ginny Gaines searched for ideas to make reading fun. What she came up with, seemed more "grandiose" than "good time." Gaines says "I just chose ten thousand. I thought it was a great number. It was very challenging to do. They have never done this before. This is a first."
Spring Creek Elementary students not only met her goal of reading 10,000 books, they excelled beyond it. Student Demetrius Williams says "I think it was 10,702."
Officially, it was 10,317, but Demetrius may know better. "We were still going beyond 10,317 but I just quit counting," says Gaines.
To celebrate the accomplishment, the school transformed itself into a land of literacy before classes dismissed.
Along with guest readers, students and faculty dressed as their favorite storybook characters, performed special raps and skits, and received a visitor from the storybook classic "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble."
Teachers say the project got children who weren't reading, to read. And exposed others to new stories and characters. Jakayla Moore likes "Hannah Montana", "Michelle", "Junie B. Junes." Shaila Keo says "I read 'The Magic Treehouse' but I forgot the author's name."
And new adventures await, inside the bundle of free books each received as an added reward. The reading doesn't stop with the end of the school year either. Students will be challenged to join summer reading programs, and return in August ready to tackles a new challenge. Oh goodness! Do you think we could do 15,000? I'm not sure," wonders Gaines.
About 600 students attend Spring Creek Elementary school. That means each student had to read 17 books to reach the goal.
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