Next week we are having a book fair, and I can honestly say that I'm super excited. One reason I wanted to create this blog was so I would remember all of the different things I did this year. If this book fair crashes and burns then I will know the extras weren't worth it! This is our first book fair this year because I was on maternity leave last semester and I am so ready for the change in pace.
Things I'm doing differently:
1. Commercial and brochures: Right when students walk in I have the book fair commercial running in the library with a bunch of brochures sitting on the table. Now, the music is super repetitive and it's about to drive Michele and I crazy, but the students know that book fair is coming and they are excited.
2. Decorations: I'm decorating this year. Woot! Woot! I haven't really decorated before, so I'm really excited. I will post pictures once it is all set up. I am going to the dollar store today, and I'm just really excited to go to the Dollar Store.
3. Teacher Appreciation Day: I did this last year and it was a huge success. On Monday after school I'm offering teachers snacks and drinks and 20 percent off of their purchases. Teachers love their books, especially cook books!
4. Students Without Money: I am trying to find something to do for the students who aren't purchasing books. We are all about Common Core, so I thought about having a Math involved Common Core activity for kids. I'm thinking of having them guess the amount of marbles that are in a container. However, I will also have a smaller version of that container with practice marbles. If they can count the number of marbles going into the small container and then multiply then they can get a really a good estimate. Anyways it’s something Mathy and Math and the library don't always go together, but with this they could.
5. Incentives for Buying: A drawing for kids who buy books. For every book they buy their names get entered into a drawing for any book of their choice.
6. New Teacher Schedule: I scheduled the teachers differently this time so that pretty much everyone comes down the first two days, and then if they want, they can come back with classes to buy. I'm actually going to offer the free times Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning to any teacher in our building as long as they talk up book fair and they have kids bring in money.
Now, I know some schools do like donuts with dad, or muffins with mom, or books and bagels, blah, blah, blah, but I have three kids 4 and under and a husband that works crazy hours, so I'm thinking of sitting that one out.
I am super hyped up on caffeine right now (a thank you to Carrie at Starbucks and my wonderful husband for delivering it for me), so I should probably get a few things done before it wears off! Pictures and results to come. Crossing my fingers!
