The Society of Awesome Readers (S.O.A.R) Summer Book Club program offered multi-aged book clubs for students in grades 3-5 across six elementary schools in Irving, Texas. The goal was for students to spend time engaged in authentic reading and discussions. Students received free books, accessed the school library, and were encouraged to continue reading over the summer. Special guest readers included authors, storytellers, and librarians. Student, teacher, and parent feedback was positive, and research shows that even limited summer reading helps maintain reading skills.

1. Society of Awesome Readers
S.O.A.R Book Club
A Collaborative Project: Irving Independent School Distinct, the Bilingual/ESL Department
and IISD Elementary Schools
Farine, Lee, Brandenburg, Townley, Elliott and Brown
School Administrators
Julie Miler, Wendi Vaughn, Yanira Olivares, Dr. Doug Sevier, Dr. Jill Tokumoto, and Dr. Adam Grinage
Coordinator: Renee Newry
Site Coordinators
Tina Berumen, Tammy Stringer, Sharon Dressel, Mary Jo. Lear, and Lisa Shellito
The Society of Awesome goal was to spend time being
Readers (S.O.A.R) Summer engaged in authentic reading
Special points of
interest: Book Club program offered and reading discussions. This
multi-aged book clubs for goal was evidenced by high
 Student and Parent
Surveys students in grades 3-5 while 1 attendance rates and positive
 Special Events
 Summer Statistics -2 grade students participated feedback from students,
 Teacher Feedback
in a Family Book Club Thea- teachers, and parents. During Program to continue reading
ter during the June. The four the session, students re- throughout the summer.
elementary sites hosting ceived 6-12 free books for
S.O.A.R were Lee, Elliott, their home library. The stu-
Research on Summer
Brown, and Townley. Al- dents and families also had Reading
though the students spoke access to the school library.
Even reading a relatively
A Special Thanks many languages and came Students were invited to par- small collection of books —
to... 12 to 15 for kids in first
from culturally diverse back- ticipate in the Irving Public through third grades; five in
Dora Moron
upper elementary grades —
√ grounds, the students were all Library Summer Reading should keep skills up to par.
-Allington 2012
focused on one goal. The http://www.omaha.com/article/20120710/
Irving Public
√
NEWS/707109925/0
Library Staff
Melanie Chrismer
√
Slappy’s Play- S.O.A.R Events
house √ Author, Melanie Chrismer,
Slappy’s Playhouse Clowns,
The Sonic Guy
@Pioneer Dr. √ and librarians from the Irving
Public Library delighted our
students with books, storytel-
ling, and laughter. This was a
Arielle Lewin
Internet Safety for Parents √ great opportunity for students
and families to see that read-
ing is fun! All programs
Mackin Books
√
stressed the importance of
reading for pleasure and en-
couraged the students to con-
tinue reading throughout the
Follett Books
√ summer months.

2. Society of Awesome Readers Page 2
t Metacognitive Thinking and Reading Strategies
d en s
Stu rvey s
Book club session were 1 1/2 hours
each day. Each day teachers and
Su sult
students focused on the metacogni- 60
tive strategies as they read and
Re
discussed the book club book 50
choices. Students rated the strate-
gies that they felt they were most 40
confident in both at the beginning
and end of the session. 30 12-Jun
Making Connections (MC) 28-Jun
20
Making Predictions (MP)
10
Making Inferences (MI)
Visualizing (V) 0
Summarizing (S)
MC MP MI V S AQ
Asking Questions (AQ)
Teacher Survey
Comment
Students loved reading
in the group led by a
teacher who could bring
out the fun and
interesting aspects of
reading. The book club
atmosphere encouraged
the love of reading.
70
English Language
60 Arts TEKS
50 (2.7B)
40 read from a variety
30
12-Jun of genres for pleas-
The students selected their three
favorite genres.
28-Jun ure and to acquire
20
information from
Realistic Fiction , Fairy Tales, Folk 10
Tales (Myths and Legends), Fantasy, both print and elec-
Mystery, Poetry, Historical Fiction, and
Non-Fiction.
0 tronic sources

3. Page 3
Student Survey Results Teacher Survey Comments
Students were asked to rate The students loved
how well they liked to read on
their own, and how well they
90 reading aloud with dif-
liked to be read aloud to. By the
80 ferent voices. It was so
70
end of the program, students much fun.
noted that they grew in their love 60
50 DON'T LIKE
for both choices. Thanks to the Small class sizes al-
wonderful teachers for helping 40 LIKE SOME
bring the books to life. For more 30 lowed each student the
LIKE A LOT
information about what students 20 chance to talk and share
read. Click here to see the 10 LOVE IT their ideas and opinions
books and reading guides. 0
LISTEN TO READ TO LISTEN TO READ TO
about the book.
READING SELF (PRE) READING SELF
(PRE) (POST) (POST)
Parent Survey
Parents personally Comment
thanked us for doing
the program. They My kids were all excited
stated that they
learned something to read and “complained”
everyday.
each day that the
-Sharon Dressel
(Site Coordinator: Townley) session was too short.
Attendance Statistics
Student Survey Results: How many minutes do you read each day? Lee - 189 students
Brown - 65 students
Elliott - 110 students
The child who sits in Townley- 78 students
40
a reader’s lap is more 35 Average Classroom Ratio
privileged than [a] 30 10:1
child who is given a 25
Pre The summer reading pro-
fancy computer 20
Post gram was a fun, engaging
games, state-of the- 15
opportunity for students to
art sports equipment, 10
connect with literature.
[or] designer clothes. 5
Amazing Reading fun, thank
-Rosemary Wells 1998 0
10 mins. 20 mins 30 mins. 30+ mins.
you Irving ISD.
M. Lear
(Site Coordinator - Elliott)

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ac .A.R
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riety of genres
for pleasure and
to acquire infor-
mation from
both print and
electronic
sources
Livebinder.com
Password “Soar”
Program Benefits Favorite Part of the Improvement
Coordinator Comments
Session Recommendations
Kudos to the Cafeteria  Kids loved getting
Manager, Patsy, and  Kids loved the “social  Make session 2 hours
new books each
our fabulous bus driver media” type lessons. long
Will. These two indi- week  Less emails-more or-
Great lesson guides
viduals took pride in ganization of events
their service to children  I enjoyed the freedom  More communication
and to their families.  Book discussions
to go at your own through first day folder
were great and all of  Limit schedule changes
groups individual
The faculty and staff the students had the
worked well together pace  Meet five days a week
and provided a stellar
opportunity to share for two weeks
program. Thanks for  I enjoyed it when the their ideas  Allow K/1 students who
helping our students are reading to attend
parents were involved class sessions
gain the skills needed  Students were ex-
to continue their read- with their kids in read-  Allow more flexibility in
cited to have access
ing journey throughout ing and crafts students changing read-
the summer. to library books ing groups