How does a school staff develop a central theme?  Themes can be generated by an individual (media specialist), by a committee (PL 221 or Articulation), or through suggestions received from the faculty and staff in either a formal or informal survey.  Themes can also be selected by using one of the promotional kits generated by a company such as Demco or Upstart or by perusing novelty catalogs such as the Oriental Trading Company.  There are probably as many ways of deciding on a topic as there are themes available.  One theme (Shoot for the moon; even if you miss you will land among the stars) resulted from a summer inservice, while the current theme in use in our building (Treasure the Freedom to Read) has resulted from the current national emphasis on patriotism.  Themes can result from a school system’s goal or the school’s mascot or just because it seems like a fun topic.  It is important not to wait until the last minute to decide on a theme.  The more advanced planning, the more likely that the theme components will come together to benefit the student’s involvement in the reading activities. In addition, this gives the planner time to look around--during visits to other schools, conferences, or stores--for ideas to enhance the theme’s program.

            If a group meets to brainstorm, it is important that all ideas be written down with no criticisms being made of any topic until the brainstorming session is closed.  When it is time to narrow down the theme topic, the group needs to consider the following questions:

1.      Is the theme positive in nature?

2.      Will it appeal to students and staff alike?

3.      How can reading be tied in with this theme?

4.      What icon(s) or picture image can be used to represent the theme?

5.      What activities can be used to tie in with the theme?

6.      How can displays be created to promote the theme and reading?

7.      What incentives might be purchased to use with the theme’s activities?

8.      Will a theme be able to stand a year’s worth of use without people growing tired of it?

            To demonstrate how these questions can be answered, the theme Treasure the Freedom to Read will be used to answer the above questions:

1.  Yes, it promotes reading as something precious to be treasured. 

2.  Yes, based on comments both before and after its implementation–the only concern being that of a certain religious denomination.  Those individuals are satisfied that their children have the option to pick the treasure chest and incentives representing money as a reward rather than those representing patriotism.  It is important to recognize the diversity of beliefs within a particular school.

3.  Reading ties directly in with our rights as citizens, and the word Read is an essential part of the theme title.

4.  We use cut emblems of a flag and a treasure chest.

5.  Using Printmaster/Printshop and a poster enlarger, posters with the theme printed on them were made available for each team and also for each teacher who requested a poster.  Wall space was made available to indicate those students participating in Young Hoosiers and bordered with a red/white/blue fringe border.  Students had a choice of the flag or treasure chest emblem to represent their individual achievements.  Teachers implemented an idea spotted three months into planning and borrowed from Carl Harvey: those students reaching certain reading goals had their picture displayed on a Reading Wall of Fame.  These pictures are individually framed with a patriotic border created using one of the above-listed graphics design programs. 

6.  The first display case design of the year featured a treasure chest purchased from a supply house. It was filled with new books, the theme was placed prominently on the wall, fake coins were scattered around, and incentives for different reading levels were displayed.  Other displays could focus on the Constitution, maps of the country with travel books, etc.

7.  Incentives purchased include “bentcils” (pencils with ends shaped into images) with the outline map of the United States, bookmarks in the image of money, flag and money key chains, hacky sacks with patriotic emblems, and ink pens with patriotic designs.

8.  So far this theme has not worn out its use.  Students and staff continue to come with ideas for additional incentives or display ideas.

             A year is a good length of time to work with a particular theme in place.  Less than that can mean that more time is spent on the theme than the reading promotion.  Those schools using the same theme year after year might develop a blasé attitude towards the activities involved in the theme, unless it is tied in with the school’s mascot.  While themes can spill over into other areas of the curriculum, it is essential to remember that the important element in using the theme is to promote reading, not using reading to promote the theme.