Baymonte Reads! is a program Baymonte Christian School has implemented to raise awareness around the importance of reading and to inspire students and families to make reading part of their daily routines. Reading enriches lives and has countless benefits which include building vocabulary and knowledge, improving language skills, supporting cognitive development, improving imagination and creativity, increasing concentration and discipline, preparing for academic success, and for parents who read to their young children, developing a special bond with their child(ren). For many reasons, students tend to either do less reading as they age, or their enjoyment of the pastime decreases.
How can we encourage our students to develop a life-long love of reading? Here are some ideas:
- Build a Home Library: Having books readily available in a child’s bedroom or a home library gives a child the option to pick up a book to read during free time. Stock your home library with fiction, non-fiction, books on subjects they’re interested in, newspapers, magazines, maps, etc.
- Model adult reading: Modeling reading by parents and siblings at home is a great way to encourage the pastime.
- Create a thirst for knowledge: Ask questions and initiate conversations about what they’re reading.
- Refrain from using reading as a negative: Try not to use reading as a discipline measure or chore.
Baymonte Reads! Activities and Support:
Library: The mission of the Baymonte Christian School library is to provide resources and services that support the curriculum and enrich the learning experience at Baymonte Christian School. Through the library media program students gain competence in grade appropriate information literacy skills. Ethical use of information and a Christian world viewpoint are also emphasized. The goal of the Baymonte library is that students will become life-long learners, readers, and information literate.
The library collection consists of over 11,000 volumes including a large selection of religious literature as well as fiction and nonfiction for all grade levels, a reference collection, and resources for classroom instruction. Each week, students in first through fourth grades visit the library media center, which supports classroom instruction, to hear stories, borrow books, and receive information literacy instruction. Students in all other grades have dedicated times when they may check out books and all are encouraged to visit the library during school hours or after school to borrow books for pleasure reading or for class assignments. In addition, teachers in the middle school are able to schedule class visits to the library when necessary. Finally, each year the library hosts a summer reading program for all Baymonte students to promote literacy and encourage a love of reading.
Book Fair: Baymonte hosts two book fairs each school year where books can be purchased. More information can be found on our website blog and in our weekly school newsletter. Email Baymonte’s librarian, Rachel Tubb if you would like to volunteer to help set-up or work at the next book fair.
Book swap: Baymonte hosts an annual student book swap to help build home libraries and keep book titles new and fresh. Baymonte families are encouraged to go through home libraries and donate new or gently used books no longer read at home. Each student at Baymonte visits our book swap room and can choose books to bring home and keep in their home libraries!
Parent Book Club: Book clubs are a creative way to read good books and gather with other parents to discuss the content on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Would you like to host or join a parent book club at BCS? Email with your interest here: Parent Book Club Interest
Reference Resources:
Library Catalog
Search for books in the library catalog
Encyclopedia Britannica
(at home you will need to login – ask for login and password info)
HOMEWORK HELP:
The Baymonte Library is closed during summer and school breaks.