News

Local teachers promote reading through an entertaining program

By Scott Wagar

09/02/2014

Bottineau’s elementary and middle school students were greeted with a new reading program when entered into their school rooms this past week, which will give the young scholars the opportunity to become better readers in life while having fun at the same time.

“The program is called Reading Rocks,” said Codi Rybchinski, a member of the Reading Rocks team in the Bottineau School District. “The team of teachers got the idea from Alysa Palmer who started our Winter Olympic reading incentive last February.  The kids grabbed it and ran with it. The team felt bringing in that competitive fun of reading would be fun.”

Different grades in the Reading Rocks program will be assigned a different theme and staff at the school will keep records on how many books PreK through second grade read and how long it takes (in minutes) grades three through six take to read their books.

“All recording sheets will be turned into each schools designated librarian,” Rybchinski said. “And, they will tally up the books and minutes read. Those grades and individuals that meet the monthly goal will be granted prizes.”

The students will choose their own books to read and the team made up of teachers will decided which months they can read at home and what months they will read at school.

To add a little fun to the program, there will also be class and individual competitions for the students.

The elementary teachers kicked-off the Reading Rocks program this past Friday afternoon during a lyceum at the Holwell Auditorium and entertained the students when they performed the song “Dynomite” while deck out like rock musicians. The teachers changed the lyrics of the song to promote reading.

“Our theme this year is music,” Rybchinski said. “So, we have found all different kinds of parodies set to reading or books.”
During September, the theme will be football and the students will read their books at home.

Joining the staff’s team will be the PTO to assist in the program.
“PTO has graciously teamed up with the Reading Rocks reading incentive team and is donating money toward prizes for classroom and individuals that reach that month’s goal,” Rybchinski stated.

Staff team members include Codi Rybchinski, Lori Erickson, Michelle Pigeon, Angie Hoff, Jaque Marum, Nancy Olson, Adam Beyer, Brian Palmer and Alysa Palmer.