Eye on ECCS: I Love to Read Month

 

NOTE: Occasionally throughout the school year, we will visit a school across Eastern Carver County Schools. Some weeks the plan may be to stop in multiple classrooms by grade, or by subject. Other weeks it may highlight a certain specialist group. The purpose is to give families and our community a glimpse into the every-day learning environment happening in our buildings. A chance to spotlight the incredible work our teachers and staff do on a daily basis for our students, and to showcase the incredible work our students produce as well. So, keep your Eye on ECCS!

An entire month dedicated to promoting the love of reading – you heard that right! February is I Love to Read month, and schools across the district celebrated with author visits and reading challenges for students.

By establishing a love for reading in schools, students see reading as something enjoyable and meaningful.

“When reading feels like a chore, students just try to finish it or find ways to avoid it. But when reading feels like a choice or an exciting challenge, they actually want to keep going. My goal in the media center is to provide an environment where kids want to read, not to make them read,” La Academia Innovation and Information Specialist Michael Schladweiler said.

Students at La Academia were given two different challenges this year. The first was a bingo sheet where students independently completed a task and once they completed a bingo, they turned it into the media center. The second was an I Love To Read Month book recommendation form. Students could write or draw a picture about why other students should read a certain book. Those who completed either challenge were entered into a prize drawing.

Chanhassen Elementary tied into the Winter Olympics with their challenge sheet full of reading activities to complete at home during the month of February. Each classroom hosted “mystery readers,” while the school celebrated four reading spirit days.

Students in grades two through four participated in a book tasting in Media in February to help students find new books to read.

“Second grade did a musical chairs style book tasting. When the music stopped, they would sit down and try one of the books on the chair. They each had a bookmark to write down any titles they might want to try later. When we were done, students shared some of the titles to the class they were especially excited about,” Chanhassen Elementary’s Media Specialist Gayle Simon said. “In grades 3-4 we did a Book Bistro book tasting. Each table had a different genre and students travelled from table to table sampling at least two books at each table. They had a ‘menu’ to record their feelings about the books they tried and kept a want-to-read list. Those books were flying off the shelves afterwards!”

At Victoria Elementary, the theme was Go for the Gold, READ! “We had ‘dress up days’ on Fridays in February. One Friday was Reading Makes Us Bright, and we wore neon or very bright colors. It was fun explaining to the younger kids the dual meaning of the word "bright." We also had Reading Makes Us Smart Day and Curl Up With a Good Book Day,” Kari Lenzmeier, Victoria Elementary’s Media Specialist, said.

AUTHOR VISITS
In collaboration with Community Education’s Hooked on Books event at Chanhassen High School on Feb. 21, keynote author Cristina Oxtra visited the district’s elementary schools in the days leading up to the event. She shared her book, “What Lolo Wants,” a 2025 Minnesota Book Award Finalist. 

Clover Ridge Elementary, through a sponsorship from its PTO, hosted New York Times Bestselling Author Matt Eicheldinger. His engaging presentation and great storytelling was wonderful for students to hear and encourage the creative writing process, the school shared on social media.

Carver Elementary welcomed a pair of authors this week. Keenan Jones, author of “Saturday Morning at the Shop," visited with fourth and fifth graders, while David LaRochelle shared his journey to become a published author to kindergarten through third graders.

Other Carver Elementary activities including Reading by the Fireplace, Dress like a Book Character Day, Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Surprise visits, mystery readers, the Scholastic Book Fair, and a February Reading Challenge calendar that students could turn in at the end of the month for a chance to win a book from the school’s book vending machine, Innovation and Information Specialist Andy Wilson said. 

“Making reading fun turns reading from a ‘have-to’ into a ‘want-to.’ Reading is a brain workout because when kids like what they’re reading, they build focus and memory skills without even realizing they’re ‘working,’” Jonathan Elementary’s Information, Innovation, and Learning Specialist Joy Ayu said. “Kids who read for fun see way more words than kids who only read for school. This makes them naturally better at speaking and writing. If they enjoy it now, they’ll keep doing it as adults. That means they’ll never stop learning, even after they finish school.”

POWER OF READING
Reading at home is one of the most powerful ways families can support learning. Research shows that students who read just 20 minutes a day:

• Are exposed to nearly 2 million words each year.
• Build stronger vocabulary and comprehension skills.
• Improve reading fluency and confidence.
• Develop background knowledge that supports learning in all subject areas.

Even short, consistent reading time adds up in a big way. Whether your child is reading independently, reading to you, or listening as you read aloud, all of it counts.

“Reading matters most when students feel it in their hearts. When children experience books as joyful, meaningful, and personal, they begin to see reading as a place they belong. It's a space where they can feel seen, imagine bigger, and understand others more deeply. My goal is to help students fall in love with stories so reading becomes more than a school assignment. It becomes a lifelong companion that brings comfort, curiosity, and connection,” said Samantha Mueller, Clover Ridge’s Media Specialist.

THE READING DOESN’T STOP
In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, March is designated as National Reading Month – a month to motivate Americans of all ages to read every day.

Bluff Creek Elementary sent all students home for the long weekend with a book or two from their Bountiful Books event Feb. 28. Innovation and Information Specialist Claire Torrey said the event began five years ago as a book swap but has evolved into something much greater.

“We wanted to make a way for every kid in the school to get a book, and it just took off. Parents have been happy to clear out their shelves and send in books, and I have even had some generous families who have dropped off brand new popular series still in the Barnes and Noble bags! We have such a generous community. The Chanhassen High School student who worked with me last year even did a book drive over there and brought the elementary level books to me!” Torrey said.

Chanhassen Elementary is hosting Book Bingo on March 5 and 6. 

There is no “right way” to read at home. Some simple ideas include:

• Setting aside a regular time each day for reading.
• Model reading; kids need to see parents engaged in reading also. Read together too!
• Letting your child choose books that match their interests.

“If your child is struggling to find books they love, connect with a school or public librarian! We love to give book suggestions,” Simon added.