Dear Parents,
For over 30 years, the West Bloomfield School District libraries have
encouraged students to participate in a reading incentive program called
“Pine Tree”. The program, which is still in existence today, is designed
for third through fifth grade students and encourages those students to
read preselected books over a period of several months.
New last year was the addition of a District-wide reading incentive
program for students in grades kindergarten through second. Our new
program for younger readers is titled “Pine Cone”. This program
features a list of books selected by district librarians that includes
picture books, non-fiction books, and early chapter books, featuring a
large variety of genres, cultures, and interests. During the week of
December 1rst, students will learn the procedures of The Pine Cone
Reading Incentive Program. The actual titles are not revealed until
December 5th in an effort to raise excitement for the program. Students
will learn of the incentives for reaching each of the three levels of
success: Silver (10 books), Gold (20 books), and Emerald (30 books).
The program will run from December 5, 2014 through March 6, 2015.
Students are encouraged to read as many of the books on the list as they
can. Due to varying reading abilities, the books may be read to, with, or
by your child. After each book is read, your child will complete a
Reading Response sheet. Depending on your child’s age and
reading/writing ability, he or she may choose the Standard or Advanced
Reading Response sheet. Each sheet is then signed by a parent and
returned to school for credit.
When your child receives credit for completing the form, he/she will be
presented with a sticker from the teacher. The sticker will be placed on
your child’s individual Pine Cone Recording Chart, which will be
displayed in the classroom.
The Recording Chart looks like this:
In addition, each class will have a large Pine Tree displayed in the Media
Center. One pine cone will hang for each student in that class. When a
child reaches one of the reading levels (Silver (10 books), Gold (20 books),
Emerald (30 books), a corresponding colored star will be placed on their
pine cone. This way, all visitors to the school will be able to see and
celebrate our reading achievement.
It is the recommendation of the district librarians that parents and
teachers help each student develop a reading goal that is “just right” for
the reading level of the child. The main goal of this program is encourage
a love of reading. Pushing children too hard and too fast can have an
opposite effect. Consider your child’s age and interest toward reading.
Then choose an attainable goal.
Your child has several options for accessing Pine Cone books in their
classroom library, school library, or from the West Bloomfield Township
Library. If you wish to purchase Pine Cone books, all titles will be on
sale at Barnes and Noble during our District Book Fair December 59. All proceeds from the book fair will go to the school libraries.
As a special culminating event, all students will be invited to an
assembly in March to meet one of the Pine Cone authors. If you
purchase only one book on the Pine Cone list, consider the featured
author book, as your child will have an opportunity to get it autographed
in March.
More information about the Pine Cone Reading Incentive Program for
students in grades K-2 can be found on your school library website.
Sincerely,
West Bloomfield K-2 Librarians,
Julie Abeska, Carrie Betts and Mike Atkinson