Has anyone ever done a Mock Caldecott program before? I think it sounds like a lot of fun and something that would be memorable for the kids. I'm thinking of doing the program with first and second graders...kindergarten might be too young.
Here is how my current program outline:
1. Gather about 16-20 books. There are a lot of lists of possible contenders published by other libraries and there is even a spreadsheet created by Jim Averbeck showing which books appear most often on those lists.
2. Print out slips of paper with numbers 1-3. Each number has its own color. For example, 1 is on blue paper, 2 on red, 3 on green, etc.
3. When the class comes, I will explain what the Caldecott award is, show an example, and lead a discussion about the illustrations in picture books.
4. I'll divide the class into 4 or 5 groups and handout the numbered slips to everybody.
5. Each group will examine 4 books at a time.
6. After everyone gets a chance to look at the books, the kids get to vote by raising their slips of paper. Each book will have a number, and one child in each group will be the recorder to record how many votes each book received. (I think I'll create a spreadsheet for the recorder to make it easier.)
7. After everyone votes, I'll rotate the books on to the next group. This will continue until everyone has seen every book or until time runs out.
8. When the class returns, I will read the top 3 books and the kids will vote again to select their Mock Caldecott winner. I'll also announce the national Caldecott winner. This year, the national winner will be announced Monday January 26.
Is this type of a program possible with first and second graders?? Any suggestions?
Result: With a first grade class this was very chaotic. I think for first grade next time I will modify the program--I'll handout the voting slips, read 3 stories, and then have the kids vote and discuss. Perhaps this program is better geared towards grade 3-4. The kids were capable in small groups, but having 5 groups of first graders was just too much.
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3 comments:
How long do the kids look at the 4 books in the first round?
Each group had 10 minutes in the first round. That gives each child 2-3 minutes/book.
What an ambitious program. Very creative and hands-on, which is always a good teaching style with young children. Unfortunate that your first run-through was chaotic, but your adaptation was a good one. This is a great alternative to a standard read-aloud and the chance for the kids to interact with so many books (or fewer, as in your adaptation) is very cool.
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