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READ TAC TOE Steps for Students:
1. Choose a book you would enjoy reading. Remember to try different genres and make sure it is a “just right” level (not too hard, not too easy).
2. Read ALL of your book. You can read parts of it aloud with a parent. They would love that! Remember what a good reader looks like and thinks like.
3. Choose how you want to share your book. You can see our class webpage for ideas or look in our class red filebox. It could also be a literature letter to the teacher, a story map, or project.
4. Have a parent check it for quality, spelling, etc and initial it. They can help you correct any mistakes and make sure your report recalls the correct details.
5. Turn it in.
6. Start a new book! 
~~ Remember you have lots of choices. Make smart ones.~~
~~ The more you read, the better you’ll be. Practice, practice! ~~
What is Read Tac Toe?
Read Tac Toe is a genre-based reading program designed to expose students to as many different literary genre as possible. Our hope is that, through this program, students will be exposed to--and find-the type of book that will “hook” them and make them life- long readers. For more information, contact your child’s teacher or your campus librarian.
Does my child have to participate in Read Tac Toe?
Read Tac Toe is completely voluntary, and not required. However, please be aware that the school reading certificates given at the end of each year are based on the number of books read for this program.
How many books does my child have to read to earn a reading certificate?
In 3 rd grade, a child needs to complete 15 books on the Read Tac Toe grid to receive a certificate.
What kind of project does my child have to complete in order to get credit for a Read Tac Toe Square?
In order to make the program as flexible as possible, the classroom teachers will determine exactly how the credit is given in their individual classrooms. It may be that a journal entry for writer’s workshop will give credit in one classroom, while in another classroom the students must memorize and recite a poem to gain credit. Other classrooms may give group credit for a book read aloud and discussed in class, or use RTT as a center activity for students. It is completely at the discretion of the classroom teachers. It is not our intention to create extra work for families.
Where do I find definitions for the different genre li sted on my child’s RTT grid?
See the link on the class webpage or refer to the handouts sent home.
What happens when my child gets a Read Tac Toe (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally)?
Read Tac Toe incentives are decided by the campus librarian. This year, Ms. Smith will give dog tag necklaces for each Tac Toe.
What is a Black Out?
A Black Out happens when a child has completed every square on the RTT grid. There will be a special reward for kids who reach this goal.

Can my child get RTT credit for Texas Bluebonnet books read?
Yes! Again, our goal is to make this program enjoyable and fun. We do not wish to create extra work for families.
Do the RTT books have to be checked out from my school library?
No- any book that fits the genre qualifies. It does not matter whether it is from the school library, classroom library, public library, or home library.
If I have additional questions about this program, whom do I contact?
If you have questions about how the program will work in your child’s classroom, contact your classroom teacher. If you have questions about the overall running of the program, incentives, or genre, contact your campus librarian.
GENRE DEFINITIONS
Award Winning Book - This is any book that has won a literary award. There are many literary awards to choose from. Some examples include the Caldecott Medal, Coretta Scott King Book Award, Newbery
Medal, Pura Belpre' Award, Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, Texas Bluebonnet Award, Theodore
Seuss Geisel Award –and many, many others. • To find an award book in the library type “award” in a keyword search, or look for the embossed medal on the front cover of books.
Biography - A fact based history of a person’s life.• To find these in the library, go to the Dewey Section,
#921, or type “biography” in a Keyword Search.
Fantasy Fiction - A fiction story featuring imaginary lands, events, and characters that couldn’t possibly be real.• To find these stories in the library, type “fantasy” into a keyword search.
Favorite Author - Have you found an author you really like? For this square you may read any book by any author whose stories you enjoy!
Fiction - A made- up story. • Any book found in the Fiction or Everybody Section of the library counts for this square.
Free Choice - Any book, from any part of the library, will count for this square. Choose whatever you want!
Graphic Novel - A story that is presented in comic book format and published as a book. Graphic novels can be either Fiction or Non- Fiction. • To find these in the library, do a keyword search for “graphic”.
Historical Fiction - A story based on a time, event, or series of events that have taken place in history. The characters in the story are either entirely fictional, or they are based on a real person or persons in history. • To find these stories in the library, do a keyword search for “historical fiction”.
Humorous Fiction - A fiction story that is intentionally funny.• To find these stories in the library do a keyword search for “humorous fiction”
Magazine - Any magazine or periodical will work for this square! We will do this one in class.
Mystery - A fiction story dealing with the solution of a puzzling crime or circumstance.
• To find this in the library, do a keyword search for “mystery”.
Non- Fiction - Any book which gives true facts about real things. An informational book.
• All Biographies and Reference Books, and many books in the Dewey Section of the library count for this square. In grade level curriculum, these books a re called “Informational” books. This genre does not include traditional literature, poetry, plays, or literature in the 800s.
Picture Book - A Fiction Story which includes many large pictures to help illustrate the text. • Picture books can be found in both the Everybody and Fiction Sections of the library. (Many picture books have high level text)
Poetry - A type of writing designed to convey experiences, ideas, or emotions in a vivid and imaginative way. Memorize a short poem and recite it to your teacher to get credit. We will do the second poetry square in class. There are many types of poetry which are typically found in the Dewey Section under
811. Any 811 book will count for this square.
Realistic Fiction - A fiction story that includes a plot, characters, and setting which could reasonably happen in real life. • This type of book is a little harder to find in the library. Type “realistic” into a keyword search. If you do not find what you need, ask your teacher or librarian for help.
Science Fiction - A fiction story based on scientific fact and futuristic technology, or one that has a scientific factor as an essential component of the story. • To find these books in the library do a keyword search for “science fiction” and then look at the books that can be found in the fiction section (call number beginning with F or FIC)
Traditional Tales - These are stories that are passed down orally through generations in families, countries or cultures. There are many different types including Mythology, Fables, Legends, Tall Tales, Trickster
Tales, and Folktales.