by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
Holly Nelson, Kennedy Community School librarian/media specialist, once again enticed students to read during I Love to Read Month in February by decorating the school’s library/media center.
She did this by turning the library/media center into a place that supported the ideas and dreams of the main character from this year’s One District One Book, “Cleo Edison Oliver the Playground Millionaire,” written by Sundee Frazier.
For One District One Book, students and families share a reading experience of a common book to help encourage a love of reading and promote literacy.
Nelson’s theme decorations include the main focus Reading Takes Us Out of This World with a rocket created from egg cartons, along with many decorations sharing the inventor and dreamer, Cleo from the book.
Students can sit inside Kennedy’s Reading Rocket and read books.
Other decorations highlight famous women in science and focus on the creative and inventor qualities of learning and exploring through books and reading.
The checkout desk in the library/media center is decorated as “mission control” such as at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Various scenes from the One District One Book include 24 inflated teeth and paper cutouts of avocados which are used to entice and get students excited about reading.
Two books were shredded and students had a chance to guess what the book is and a winner was drawn for a prize at the end of February. Daily trivia and themes helped build student excitement and encourage participation.
Fun events planned by Nelson included students and staff dressing up like their favorite book character, a Give Back Day with collected coins in the library being donated to the Anna Marie Alliance House in St. Cloud, an Inventor’s Day that encouraged students to explore famous inventors, a classroom door-decorating contest, a World Read Aloud Day on Feb. 5 that involved 12 different authors skyping with classes about their book(s) and what it’s like to be a writer.
“I am so very lucky to have the opportunity to work at Kennedy in the capacity as the school librarian/media specialist,” Nelson said. “Working with the staff and students is a great honor and one I covet. The chance to influence so many students and support their reading journey is a privilege. Instilling the love of reading and building a library with diverse literature that all students can see themselves in is a priority and joy of mine.”
Nelson began decorating for I Love to Read Month five years ago when she started her media specialist position.
The first year, Nelson created a large igloo made out of milk bottles and a winter theme with penguins in support of the One District One Book, “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” written by Richard Atwater.
The second year, she transformed the library/media center into a candyland based on the One District One Book, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” written by Roald Dahl.
The third year, Nelson depicted the many scenes from the One District One Book, “Ralph S. Mouse,” by Beverly Cleary.
During the fourth year, the library/media center became the magic shop from the One District One Book, “The Vanishing Coin” by Kate Egan.
“I especially love February because I am able to tap into my maker and inventor side and share this with students and staff,” Nelson said. “I hope students see you never have to give up your creativity. I’ve found great joy in watching students interact and explore some of my ‘wild ideas’ in the library. Amazing what you can make out of egg cartons, tin foil, cardboard, dryer vents, and so much more if you’ve been given the environment to explore your own creativity regardless of your age.”
The decorations remain displayed in the library/media center during March and are slowly taken down in April. The library/media center has evolving decor supporting the different seasons but February involves a dramatic transformation for I Love to Read Month.
This is Nelson’s 28th year of teaching, 26 of those have been spent working with the St. Cloud school district and 21 of those have been spent at Kennedy.
About 200 or more students visit the library daily and more on certain days of the week.
About 820 students in kindergarten to eighth grade currently attend Kennedy Community School.
The reading rocket blasts off.
During Holly Nelson’s second year as librarian/media specialist, she created a candyland in support of the One District One Book, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” written by Roald Dahl.
During Holly Nelson’s first year as librarian/media specialist, she created an igloo from milk bottles in support of the One District One Book, “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” written by Richard Atwater.
Holly Nelson, Kennedy Community School librarian/media specialist enticed students to read during I Love to Read Month by decorating the school’s library/media center with a rocket ship built from egg cartons. This supported the One District One Book, “Cleo Edison Oliver the Playground Millionaire” written by Sundee Frazier.
Kennedy Community School students Chloe Cremers (left) and Owen Achman enjoy reading time in the reading rocket created by Holly Nelson.
