Maple Seventh-Graders Are Reading "A Latte" in LMC’s Starbooks Cafe

Maple Seventh-Graders Are Reading "A Latte" in LMC’s Starbooks Cafe

View photos at the Starbooks Cafe on District 30's Facebook at http://bit.ly/2pGIAPO

Maple School seventh-graders enjoyed the end of their first-trimester reading workshop with a special trip to the new Starbooks Cafe in the library media center. It was the brainchild of English teachers Nicky Stannard, Joanna Howard, and Librarian Amanda Crowley, who wanted to create a place where the students could enjoy the culmination of their reading efforts in a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.

At the beginning of the first trimester, the English teachers' goal were to encourage the love of reading and reading stamina in their students. Classes were asked to read a book of their choice and set two-trimester reading goals. Book selections had to be the appropriate reading level and had to be approved by the teacher. The reading page goal had to be a minimum of 450 pages. Trimester grades are based on the completion of goals.

Along with reading, the kids needed to complete four reading workshop Tracks of Knowledge throughout the trimester. Assignments were submitted through their Kid Blog page. During their visit to the Starbook Cafe, many students proudly talked about how they surpassed their reading goal, while they filled out their reading workshop certificates.

The library media center had a genuine look and feel of a real Starbucks cafe. There was a “coffee” (cocoa) station, and many soft spots for the kids to read and visit with friends. The Starbooks Cafe featured the following activities, besides enjoying complimentary cups of cocoa and whipped cream. Station one was “Read a Latte,” where pupils had to tally their reading workshop pages and were presented certificates by Ms. Howard.

Station two involved “Book Tasting”, where they heard about new books with librarian Amanda Crowley. She discussed books in the following genres: Dystopian, mystery, and realistic. Popular choices were The Hunger Games, The Legend series, Maze Runner, Liars, and realistic fiction, like romance, friends and family, social issues, and sports.

Station three allowed each person to “Espresso (his/her) Self.” Attendees were allowed to share their favorite reading workshop book or Track of Knowledge with Mrs. Stannard on the Learning Stairs. Station four was “Find Your Flavor.” Everyone enjoyed their “coffee” (cocoa), took some photos, and then checked out new books!

At the end of the hour, a book raffle was held, and Superintendent Dr. Brian Wegley, Principal Dr. Nate Carter, and Assistant Principal Betty Holzkopf randomly picked winners from yellow buckets filled with student names.

Ms. Stannard received aprons and various accessories from the Starbucks in The Glen and expressed her appreciation for their generous support of the teachers and students. ELL teacher Connie Park created all of the Starbooks decorations, from banners and cups, to photo props and reading certificates. Other staff members who helped out in the cafe during class periods included April Lobo, Amy Norris, Phoebe Cruz, and Darlene Orzechowski.