Mock Caldecott program deepens students’ knowledge about books

GRUNDY CENTER – One of the most innovate new reading programs at the Grundy Center Elementary School is not only a favorite with students, but it’s also implemented at no cost to the school.
This program – the Mock Caldecott – is in its second year at GC Elementary, and has been made possible by an annual grant from the Grundy Center Community School Foundation.
According to Elementary Principal Brian Sammons, the new program has been invaluable to students.
“[The Mock Caldecott] is definitely one of the best reading programs we do because it really promotes what we believe in, which is that books are important,” he said. 
The program at the Elementary School is modeled after the real Caldecott awards, which occur in late January of each year. The Caldecott award is presented annually to the author of the most distinguished picture book for children. 
The basis of the Mock Caldecott program is to expose students to good literature by providing them with 23 different books of merit to read, and letting each student vote on their favorite book. After total votes are tallied, the book with the most votes becomes Grundy Center Elementary School’s book of choice. Students then have the chance to watch the live Caldecott Awards and see how their book holds up against other books in the competition for the Caldecott Award.
Although the students enjoy the competitive aspect of the program, the focus falls heavier on the kind of skills acquired through the program.
It's really not about choosing a winning book, it's about the excitement this program creates in students about reading," Sammons said. "It's neat to hear kids talking about books on a level they haven't before. The program really teaches them to think about books and reading in a deeper way."
"They're no longer just talking about whether or not it was a good book, but they're talking about different genre, and what mood the book has, and even different illustrative techniques," Sammons added.
For the full story, see the January 26 edition of The Grundy Register.

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