The SAES PTA proudly presents…
Dive into reading
2015-2016 Reading Motivation Program
Goal: To encourage self-selected, independent reading among all students; to encourage wide reading across a
variety of genres; to facilitate conversations about books throughout our school community.
Each month, the school will highlight a different literary genre. Students will receive information about that
genre via the morning announcements, the library, and bulletin boards/posters throughout the building.
Students are encouraged to read at least one book (or have a book read aloud to them, when appropriate) from the
genre during the month and complete a brief story map to share what they’ve learned. K-1 students may draw
pictures to help show what they’ve learned.
Students will submit the story maps to Mrs. Billingsley, SAES reading specialist, by the last school day of each
month. All participants will be entered into a monthly raffle at each grade level for a $10 gift card to Barnes &
Noble. Student book recommendations will also be shared over the morning announcements.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Billingsley at [email protected] or PTA President Jennifer
Sarych at [email protected]. We look forward to “Diving into Reading” with you and your child this year!
Dive into reading
2015-2016 Reading Motivation Program
The SAES PTA proudly presents…
September 2015
This month’s genre: REALISTIC FICTION
What is realistic fiction?
Realistic fiction is a form of fiction that accurately
reflects life as it could be lived today. Everything in the
story could happen to real people living in our natural
physical word. Characters have normal human powers. The story may be set in real places, but the
story is NOT based on history, nor does it contain elements of science fiction.
Some of Mrs. Billingsley’s favorite realistic fiction:
● Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
(picture book)
● Frindle by Andrew Clements
● Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
● Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
● No David by David Shannon (picture book)
● Ivy & Bean by Annie Barrows
● The Talented Clementine by Sarah Pennypacker
Story Map due to Mrs. Billingsley by September 30
Dive into reading
2015-2016 Reading Motivation Program
October 2015
The SAES PTA proudly presents…
This month’s genre:
What is informational text?
Informational books can also be called non-fiction books. Informational books must be accurate,
authentic, up-to-date, factual, clearly organized, and include illustrations when needed. These books
should avoid anthropomorphism, stereotypes and generalizations. Sub-genres include photo
documentaries, narrative texts, how-to books, question and answer books, activity books, field
guides/identification books, survey books, concept books and life-cycle books.
Some of Mrs. Billingsley’s favorite informational text:
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From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons (picture book)
National Geographic Kids books by National Geographic
A is for America: An American Alphabet by Devin Scillian (picture book)
Who Would Win? Lion vs. Tiger by Jerry Pallotta
Story Map due to Mrs. Billingsley by October 30.
Dive into reading
2015-2016 Reading Motivation Program
November 2015
This month’s genre:
The SAES PTA proudly presents…
What is
historical fiction?
Historical fiction is fiction that is based on historical events or people. Although some facts may be
true, most of the story is fictionalized. It is a realistic story that takes place in a specific time in the
past. It may be based on historical events and actual persons.
Some of Mrs. Billingsley’s favorite historical fiction:
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We the Kids by David Catrow (picture book)
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (Caledecott Medal 2008)
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
Story Map due to Mrs. Billingsley by November 30.
Dive into reading
2015-2016 Reading Motivation Program
December 2015
This month’s genre:
The SAES PTA proudly presents…
What is fantasy?
Fantasy in fiction in which events occur outside of the ordinary laws that operate within the universe.
Magic is central to the fantasy genre, and fantasy stories often involve journeys and quests.
Some of Mrs. Billingsley’s favorite
historical fiction:
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The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss (picture book)
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis
The Kane Chronicles and Heroes of Olympus
series by Rick Riordan
The Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Charlotte’s Web by EB White
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (picture book)
This is my favorite
genre! It’s hard to
narrow down just a
few! –Mrs. B.
Story Map due to Mrs. Billingsley by January 4, 2016.
Dive into reading
2015-2016 Reading Motivation Program
January 2016
This month’s genre: Folktales
What are folktales??
A folktale is a short story that has been passed
down from generation to generation. Fairy tales,
legends, tall tales, myths, and fables are all
different kinds of folktales.
● Fairytales are short stories that feature fantasy characters such as fairies, elves, giants and mermaids.
The SAES PTA proudly presents…
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Legends are semi-true stories that have been passed from person to person.
Tall tales are stories that are exaggerated. The narrator often tries to tell you a “true” story that is obviously twisted
or unbelievable.
A myth is a made up story that explains the existence of a natural phenomenon- such as where thunder comes from
or why snow falls from the sky. Myths often involve Gods and Goddesses.
A fable is a short story that involves personified animals and teaches a lesson or moral.
Some of Mrs. Billingsley’s favorites:
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Stregna Nona by Tomie dePaola (picture book)
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema (picture book)
One Grain of Rice by Demi (picture book)
Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach by Carmen Agra Deedy (picture book)
Story Map due to Mrs. Billingsley by January 29, 2016.
Dive into reading
2015-2016 Reading Motivation Program
February 2016
This month’s genre:
What is a biography?
Biographies are nonfiction. They are the true story of a real person’s life that is written by another
person.
Some of Mrs. Billingsley’s favorite biographies:
● Who Was Walt Disney? by Whitney Stewart (and all of the books in the “Who
Was” series)
The SAES PTA proudly presents…
● A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. by David Adler (and all of his
picture books of famous Americans)
● Me…Jane (Goodall) by Patrick McDonnell (picture book)
● Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride by Pam Munoz Ryan (picture book)
Story Map due to Mrs. Billingsley by February 29, 2016.
Dive into reading
2015-2016 Reading Motivation Program
March 2016
This month’s genre:
What is a mystery?
A mystery is a fictional story that contains a puzzling event or crime that is not solved until the end of
the story to keep the reader in suspense. Mysteries are usually realistic in nature, meaning, they seem
like they could happen to real people living today.
Some of Mrs. Billingsley’s favorite mysteries:
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The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart
The 39 Clues series by Rick Riordan et al.
Chasing Vermeer and The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett
A Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket
Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective series by Donald J. Sobol
The Boxcar Children Mysteries by Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Sisters Grimm: Fairytale Detectives series by Michael Buckley
The SAES PTA proudly presents…
● Nancy Clancy series by Jane O’Connor
● Nate the Great series by the Sharmats
Story Map due to Mrs. Billingsley by March 31, 2016.
Dive into reading
2015-2016 Reading Motivation Program
April 2016
This month’s genre:
What is poetry?
Poetry is a type of literature, or
artistic writing, that attempts to stir a
reader's imagination or emotions. The
poet does this by carefully choosing and arranging language for its meaning, sound, and rhythm. Some poems,
such as nursery rhymes, are simple and humorous. Other poems may try to express some truth about life, to tell a
story, or to honor someone or something.
Some of Mrs. Billingsley’s favorite poetry collections:
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Love that Dog by Sharon Creech
The Man Who Sang the Sillies by John Ciardi
A Pizza the Size of the Sun by Jack Prelutsky
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
A Children’s Garden of Verses by Robert Lewis Stevenson
Story Map due to Mrs. Billingsley by April 29, 2016.