The Adventures of Tom Sawyer By Mark Twain

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer By Mark Twain THE BIG READ: ALABAMA READS

Contacts of Presenters � Jan Cederquist Ø jcederquist@apls. state. al. us Ø 1 -800 -723 -8459 ext. 3987 • Tiffany Vaughn Ø tiffanyvaughn@bellsouth. net Ø 334 -683 -6411 • Pat Ryan Ø pryan@bham. lib. al. us Ø 205 -226 -3615

Components of The Big Read: Alabama Reads � Overview of The Big Read � Partnerships � PR and materials � Programming � Resources � Continuation of Alabama Reads

Where to Start? � The Big Read: creating a nation of readers! � The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Arts Midwest. � www. neabigread. org

Why the Big Read? � Designed to promote reading for pleasure -- to influence readers, nonreaders, and reluctant readers alike � Introduce � To or revisit “classics” in literature supply a venue of communication in local communities

Why The Adventures of Tom Sawyer? � On the NEA selected book list � No Alabama public library has used it yet � On school reading lists � Promotes the idea of community which is a very important aspect of The Big Read � Old favorite!

Statewide organization � Alabama divided into 9 regions and applied for 9 grants �Designed to make it easier to communicate, plan, and partner with local area as well as on a statewide level. �Regional Project Coordinators in each region will coordinate events and assist the public libraries in their regions

When Will This Take Place? � The Statewide Committee selected February through April of 2010 for statewide marketing campaign � Individual communities can select the best time and length for their events whether a two week program, a three month program or something in-between

Participating Public Libraries � Participation is voluntary � Each public library participating is required to offer at least two programs: ○ Kick-off Event ○ Book Discussion

Contact Your Local Public Library � Please partner with your local public library. � If any problems arise or your local public library is not participating, contact the Regional Project Coordinator covering your county. � If all else fails, then email or call Jan Cederquist, Tiffany Vaughn, or Pat Ryan

Regional Project Coordinators Contact List � Available at the Statewide Big Read WIKI site: http: //bigreadresources. pbworks. com/ � List of all public libraries and contact information on APLS website http: //statelibrary. alabama. gov

Statewide partners � Alabama Public Libraries � Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) � Alabama Center for the Book � New South Books � Alabama School Media Specialists

Public Relations (PR) � Statewide Strategies/Events to Promote the Program: ○ New South Books book distribution next week ○ Legislative participation, Governor’s participation ○ Alabama Book Festival

In Order to Reach Reluctant Readers News releases Media alerts Feature stories Facebook Twitter Blogs Podcasts You Tube Website

Student Participation �Engage schools, colleges, and universities �Student participation in as many schools as possible �Statewide Poetry Contest

NEA Promotional Materials � Provided to Participating Public Libraries (share with community): �Bookmarks �Posters �Reader’s Guides (English and Spanish) �Teacher’s Guides �PSAs �Graphics �Teacher’s Appreciation Certificates

Alabama Reads Materials � Addition materials: �Statewide marketing campaign �Promotional materials for use by public libraries at their events �Book bags and T-shirts for purchase from public libraries �Other promotional materials to support the Alabama Big Read program

Programming � What can you do in the schools? �Classroom Participation �School Library Activities �Faculty Reading Group �Mentoring Program �Sponsor a Public Event

Classroom participation � � Read the book as part of a class assignment Projects: � Elementary – storytime, coloring pages � Middle – literature fair, poetry contest � High School – Statewide poetry contest, writing contest, art contest �As simple as you want to make it – a simple version of painting the fence with a coloring page on the reverse side �Select one chapter to read and discuss. Email a chapter to all students.

Classroom Projects � World Book Online ebooks/full-text of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (statewide paid subscription provided by APLS) � Mark Twain house online �http: //www. marktwainhouse. org/teacher/homew ork. shtml (homework help and biography and reference help) � 2 week curriculum provided by NEA

STATEWIDE POETRY CONTEST � Sponsored by individual schools ○ Junior Division (5 th – 6 th Grades) ○ Senior Division (7 th – 8 th Grades) � May submit one poem, must be original, unpublished, inspired by the book, no longer than 50 lines

How Does the Contest Work? � Each school will hold its own contest and select the top three (3) poems in each division. � School winners will proceed to Regional contest where the top three (3) poems in each division are selected � Regional winners will proceed to the Statewide contest where the top (3) poems in each division are selected. � The 6 finalists will perform at the Alabama Book Festival next March where the state winners will be announced!

NEA WEBSITE http: //www. neabigread. org � Information about selected titles � Full-text, downloadable version of promotional materials � CAUTION: Contact a Regional Project Coordinator before you create or distribute any promotional materials (NEA STRICT GUIDELINES)

OUR BOOKS SECTION (NEA)

COMMUNITIES SECTION (NEA)

WIKI Resources http: //bigreadresources. pbworks. co m Forms Lists Performer’s List Program Ideas Downloadable Versions Statewide Poetry Contest

We Are Looking For… � Links to free Mark Twain content, canned story times, coloring pages, activity sheets � Inexpensive door prize items related to Twain or Tom Sawyer (erasers, toys) � Posters & stand-ups

Continuation of Alabama Reads � After evaluation of this pilot program, there will be a plan developed by the statewide committee to continue the Alabama Reads program. � Future partnerships with NEA are most definitely in our plans! � Continuing partnerships between schools and public libraries

Conclusion � The printed word is not dead. � Reading is FUN. � Develop programs that will bring a community together. � Find quality partners, like School Media Specialists, to make this program a bigger success.

Questions & Answers