Kristin Ackerman
April 8, 2011
We all know that stereotypes are not politically correct, but most people would agree that there is sometimes a kernel of truth to them. I grew up in a small town in Texas and I can testify that the stereotypes about big hair, big belt buckles and big hats certainly hold some if not a lot of truth. My dad is a perfect example, he looks like the Marlboro man with a mustache and aviator sunglasses. He was born and raised on a dairy farm and can train any horse, haul hay, and shoot just about anything. Not only does he wear wranglers, boots and a cowboy hat but he uses them and is so proud of it! I listened to so many lectures from the man about taking pride in where I came from that I cannot be held accountable for being one of those loud proud obnoxious Texans.
Last week my dad called me to tell me that he had mailed the thirty page application for the D.A.R. (Daughters of the American Revolution), which is like Junior League for southern women who can prove their lineage to a patriot of the American Revolution. He went on to tell me that he filled out the application for me and that I just needed to sign it and mail it in and then I could find my local chapter and get involved. I respectfully refrained from telling my dad that I was just a little busy teaching, raising two kids, trying to keep up with Martha Stewart, cleaning, and running (which helps me stay sane while accomplishing all the things previously mentioned). It also never occurred to my dad that I live in South Florida and there is not exactly a high population of D.A.R. women. To be honest I did chuckle when I hung up the phone, yet one thing really resonated with me loud and clear, my dad is passionate about who he is and where he came from.
I started thinking about the kids in my classroom and my desire for them to be just as passionate about the books that they are reading. We have to work hard to sell books because our kids are lured away from reading by on-demand TV, video games, music and Facebook. Gone are the days of playing outside until it gets dark out and curling up with a good book before sleep.
In an effort to build passion for books in my classroom, I decided to try out book auctions. On Friday afternoons we take about ten to twelve minutes and anyone who finished a book that they loved gets to 'sell' it to the class. The other students use their beads to bid for the book currently being auctioned. (When I catch my students doing something great they earn a bead, so my book auctions are just a spin on an incentive program. Instead of going to a treasure chest, the kids use their beads to "buy" books.) The person auctioning off the book gets to keep the beads to use for future book auctions. We are currently buying and selling the leveled books from our classroom library and students only bid on books that are an appropriate level. I also use bonus points to order new books from scholastic to try to keep fresh options available. I am finding that this is a great way to foster a passion for reading that would make my dad proud!