Summer Reading Posters

Many students do not practice their reading during the summer.  As a consequence, they fall further behind those that do read their daily newspapers, read books from public libraries, and read materials from other sources.

Three copies of three different posters were sent to all Indiana middle and junior high schools the first of May, 2009.   The posters reminded students that they should use their public libraries, read newspapers available in their homes or public libraries, and get a head start on reading the 2009-2010 Young Hoosier Book Award books.

The following are comments from middle grades educators concerning the use of the posters.

“We were SO excited to get the summer reading posters.  We have them hanging everywhere---media center, cafeteria, hallway, and display cases. The topics are perfect because we really try to advertise the public library's summer reading programs.”

Lynn Ann Cain, Northside Middle School, Columbus

“Thanks for the posters. We have a 7th grade teacher who loves newspapers and he was elated that you included that!  The content had a nice variety.”

Karen Gartner, Westlane Middle School

“My principal gave them to me, so I laminated all of them and used them for a summer reading display.  I also put some in the main hallways of the school, and I’m going to put the public library one at the front entrance of our school.  We plan to send a blurb to the Star East about our promotion of summer reading, and we included it in the final school newsletter of the year.  I thought it was great that you included the Young Hoosier poster.  Thanks so much for doing this!”

Susie Highley, Creston Middle School

“We posted several of the posters around the building and are also promoting the teen reading program for our county public library.  We sent a few of the posters to the adjoining elementary as we thought they were a bit young looking for our building.  We kept the ones promoting reading at the public library.  I think anything that can be done to promote summer reading for this age group is a good thing

Margaret Jantzen, South Central Jr/Sr High School

“LOVED THEM!!!!”  

Jennifer Hall, Orleans Jr/Sr High School

“I loved the posters...used some in the library area and distributed others to language arts teachers. There was a scramble for the Young Hoosier posters and the general summer reading ones.  Last on the scene got the ones about reading newspapers.  I think the posters are a great idea that should continue.” 

Catherine Hammond, Southridge Middle School

“Thank you soooo much for the posters!!!  They were helpful and I would like to have them next year.” 

Betty Lynn Bentage, West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School

“We love them and have posted them throughout the school.  Nice size, nice design.  No suggestions here; thought they worked really well!” 

Kristie Bladen, Bloomfield Jr/Sr High School

“I have them up in the halls. Our building remodeling/renovation project will be finished (hopefully) this summer. I have heard rumors that some areas of the building will not be allowed to put signs on the walls. I do appreciate all your hard work with the Middle Grades Reading Network and getting books out to the students of Indiana.  I would like to continue to get the posters and will find well traveled areas to display them. I really liked the copies of the NetWords & Becoming a Community of Middle Grades Readers. I have had a new battle on my hands the last few weeks of school. Since the junior high students will be in their own wing next year, the acting administration for that part of the building only wanted junior high students to come to the library media center as a class. After much discussion and me presenting a few studies, I think we will have open access for them as well as class visits. However, I will keep Becoming a Community of Middle Grades Readers close at hand in case the battle resumes. Thanks again!”

 Brenda Strimple, South Ripley Jr/Sr High school, Versailles

“I love them-especially the ones that concerned next year's YH list-I posted the list and displayed some of the books already, since we had just sent in our votes for this past year. I was able to put them up all over our building, since we had enough.  I liked the "This summer" or at least a summer theme-that caught the kids attention.”

 Donna  Rummel, Harold C. Urey Middle School, Walkerton

“Thank you for the posters! I think they are really good! We have them up in the library and halls here.  I like what they say (public library, newspapers, & YH). You could maybe add one about just reading for fun.”  

Pamala K. Gasway,  West Vigo Middle School

“I have some of the posters hanging the hallway, and I gave one set to my public library -- and they loved them!  The kids make fun of the "geeks" in the newspaper poster, but all that tells me is that they are seeing them!  I had them up in time for our community art show this week, so I know parents saw them.  I honestly don't know if they are helping, but I know kids are seeing them.   Thanks for thinking of us! You are always a step ahead of me.” 

Denise Keogh, Tipton Middle School

“We have the posters hanging in several places in our school and in the media center.  I think they are great.  Whether or not they motivate our students to read more over the summer is unclear so far, but it is one more way to send the message to our students.   Thanks for all you do for reading in Indiana.” 

Cheryl DiPietro, Center Grove Middle School

“They are awesome! We love them! We hope you do this again. Especially like the Young
Hoosier plug!” 

Ann McCracken, Battle Ground Middle School

“The posters and they are wonderful.  I distributed them to English/reading teachers today.  Thanks!” 

Michelle Fee, Central Middle School

“We put a couple up in the IMC and gave the rest to the Language Arts teachers to hang in their rooms.  Thanks for giving them to us.” 

Lu Dayment, Greenwood Middle School

“I loved them!  I wish they would have been sent a little earlier though.  We posted the ones that said read the Young Hoosiers.  We also posted the list of Young Hoosier books.  I think you should do summer reading posters next year and maybe take some titles from some of the librarians or from the ALA Newbery or Printz awards.” 

Kathy M Burnette , Discovery Middle School

“We have them posted in classroom, hallways and entrance ways.” 

Martha Beckort, Lanesville Community School Corp.
 

“We love the posters and have them displayed to promote summer reading.  I love that they show different formats (newspapers, etc.) so that students realize that reading involves more than books!   How about some technology posters showing students checking recommended reading
lists online?  Just a thought!” 

Susan Fossard, East Side Middle School

“We loved the "Summer Reading" posters.  We have them up all over the building.  We started a summer reading program strictly for the Middle School this year, so they posters were timely.  I would love to have posters again next year.  Thank you so much. “

Kim Gingher, Knox Middle School

“Thank you for the posters.  They were wonderful.  Someone posted them for me and it was a surprise.  I used one of them in my library display for next year's Young Hoosier Book Nominees which are also promoted at our public library.”   

Glenda Kelley, Jennings County Middle School

“Thank you for the reading posters.  I appreciate the chance to bring reading to the forefront in our building.  As you have been committed to adolescent literacy for these many years you know the challenges continue.  Thanks for including Krueger Middle School in the Middle Grades Reading Network.”  

Dianne L. Lindenmeyer, Krueger Middle School

“Thanks for sending the great posters to promote summer reading.  I have hung up some already and will place the others around my school soon.  Thanks for all your help”. 

Kim Hunter, Delta Middle School