#ClassroomBookADay Challenge: A Great Idea that Inspires and Delights! 

When Jillian Heise began writing and sharing about her #ClassroomBookADay Challenge, she guessed that other classroom teachers might be interested in taking the Challenge too. However, she couldn't have guessed just how enthusastic the response would be. The back story on how Jillian embraced the practice of reading one picture book aloud each day to her classroom for the entire school year can be found on her blog (heisereads.com). Jillian is the creator of #ClassroomBookADay, Jillian promotes the goal of reading aloud a picture book every day of the school year to students of any age, inspired by Donalyn Miller's #bookaday. Jillian also brings her literacy expertise and passion for books to her role as Chair of the WSRA Children’s Literature Committee.

On her September 2018 blog post, Jillian writes, "What I love is that the #ClassroomBookADay initiative with daily picture book read alouds can still support another initiative like #GlobalReadAloud, and your students can get double the benefit of the power of shared read alouds to build community! We know that the more connections students can make amongst the texts they read helps to deepen their comprehension, so combining the shorter daily picture book read aloud themes of #ClassroomBookADay titles with the larger, sustained themes in the Global Read Aloud books will enable students to deepen their understanding of both and make connections between various stories and universal themes."

So since great ideas beget great ideas, we are here with two ahhhhmazing teachers who were so inspired by JIllian's #ClassroomBookADay that they are bringing it to their classrooms and will be writing about it here on Follett Community, pinning resources for you on Pinterest and sharing on social media for the entire school year. There are many resources being created to make it easy for you to experience the impact of this practice.

Jillian Heise will be writing, presenting and supporting you along the way with resources too! Meet Jillian here and meet the teachers who will be writing for you all year long. 

Meet the #ClassroomBookADayTeam!

NICOLE STROUP
Regional Office of Education, Lake County IL
With over 10 years of experience in education, Nicole Stroup has been instrumental in supporting staff development, leading teachers, and developing curriculum for districts throughout Lake County. She has rich experience as both an instructional coach and ELA Content Facilitator. She has enhanced the professional learning experience of teachers throughout our area and brings both enthusiasm and a passion for instructional coaching and literacy to her new role. With a Master’s Degree in both Reading Instruction and Educational Leadership, she is committed to serving Lake County schools and districts as a support for English Language Arts curriculum, school improvement, and professional development. Nicole’s broad experience includes teaching at the elementary level as well as supporting school library media staff on library improvements. She emphasizes flexible learning environments, passion for content, and a desire to support the professional learning needs of Lake County educators. Nicole resides in Volo, IL with her husband and young daughter. In her leisure, Nicole enjoys golfing and supports her local girl’s gymnastics team as a coach.

CARLY ACCOMANDO
Fourth Grade Teacher, Duker School, McHenry IL
Carly Accomando is a fourth grade teacher at Duker School in McHenry, IL. It's her fourth year teaching, and this is her second year at Duker School. Previously, she taught first and second grade at a charter school. Says Carly, "Teaching is my greatest passion in life! I feel very fortunate to say that I truly love what I do. Each day is a new adventure."  In her free time, Carly enjoys reading, baking and shopping. She also loves spending time with her family, boyfriend and their three dogs.

LORIE BARBER
Fifth Grade Teacher, Lisle IL
Lorie Barber is a fifth grade elementary educator who highlights cultural identity, empathy, and compassion in her classroom. Lorie has been an educator for nine years, the last six of which have been with her fifth grade students in Lisle, IL.  Lorie’s main goal is always to help her students cultivate a lifelong love of reading. This is her second year implementing Jillian Heise’s #classroombookaday after experiencing an overwhelmingly positive response from her students the previous year. Lorie is a voracious reader, a proud member of #bookexpedition, and has blogged for Nerdy Book Club. She tweets from @barberchicago and writes at http://themagicofreflection.blogspot.com.

To view the full #ClassroomBookADay book list on Titlewave, click here. 
 

Follow Follett Learning's Pinterest board for great resources on the titles featured.

Read all #ClassroomBookADay blogs written by our contributing classroom teachers. 
 

VIEW ON DEMAND

Building Community: #ClassroomBookADay Read Alouds
Presenter: Jillian Heise, founder of #ClassroomBookADay
 

 #ClassroomBookADay: Three Teachers' Journey's to Foster a Love of Reading 
Presenters: Lorie Barber, Carly Accomando and Nicole Stroup