Rain Gutter Bookshelves … An Effective Way to Display Books
Mary Helen Gibson, a 2nd and 4th grade EIP reading and mathematics teacher at Wacona Elementary School, had rain gutter bookshelves installed
as part of an action research plan to motivate her students to read more Accelerated Reader books and increase their AR point totals. Her husband, Charlie Gibson, bought lengths of vinyl rain gutter and cut them into shorter pieces to fit the pegboard backs of existing bookshelves. Nuts and bolts were used to attach these rain gutter pieces to the pegboard, and long hooks were placed under the rain gutter for support. Mrs. Gibson’s students enjoy the color-coded rain gutter bookshelves on which AR books are displayed according to reading levels. She read about this idea in an article entitled “The Rain Gutter Literacy Revolution” by Mike Oliver with Julie Christensen, principal and teacher, respectively, of the Barbara Bush Elementary School in Mesa, Arizona. This article may be found on the Internet at http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/oliver.html .
Another way that Mrs. Gibson motivated her class to read was by sharing with them a congratulatory letter sent by Oprah Winfrey to a group of elementary children in Tifton, Georgia. Ms. Winfrey praised their reading achievements and encouraged teachers to help students develop a life long love of reading. After these children attained the goal they had set of reading and passing Accelerated Reader quizzes on one million books, the community leaders declared Tifton to be the "Reading Capital of the World." These accomplishments were featured in the October 23, 2000, issue of Time magazine as well as being highlighted on the television news show "20/20." In addition to this recognition, the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence received a letter from Ms. Winfrey congratulating the community on its achievement. “Oprah Congratulates the Reading Achievements of Tifton, Georgia” originally appeared in the March, 2001, issue of Horizons and can be found on the Internet at
Hello students of the Accelerated Reader Program,
Thank you for the gazillion letters you sent telling me about your Accelerated Reader Program. I wish I could have joined you for the celebration, but taping three shows a day makes it very difficult for me to get away.
One of my favorite hobbies is reading. My parents used to require me to read at least one book a week and give a report to my family. As a result, reading has been my passion. Reading inspired my imagination to dream big dreams.
Keep doing the good work you’re doing, and continue reading—all kinds of books—it will make a monumental difference in your life.
Bravo—I’m proud of you.
Sincerely,
Oprah Winfrey
Photographs by:
Mr. Charlie Gibson
Graphics by:
Print Artist