Bluestem Award Voting

This week, we wrapped up voting season with our Bluestem Award voting party!  The Bluestem Award is Illinois' reader's choice award for students in grades 3-5.  Each year, there are 20 books on the list and students must read/hear at least 4 of the books in order to qualify to vote.  The books on this list include chapter books, graphic novels, and nonfiction picture books.  I love how this award promotes reading in general, as well as reading books that students might not otherwise read. 

   

One of the books on this year's list, Ada's Violin, I read aloud to all of the students in grades 3 and 4.  This is the amazing true story of the recycled orchestra from Paraguay. After reading the book, we watched a short video clip about the story on 60 Minutes and had great discussions about how fortunate we are where we live.  We also read Game Changer: John Mclendon and the Secret Game and learned a true story about a couple of basketball coaches who worked to end segregation long before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was famous.  Both books were great for discussions about empathy and taking action when there is injustice.

Bluestem Voting Party



This year, we had 24 students eligible to vote at our voting party!  During the party, students voted, had snacks, and then we played a Kahoot game with trivia questions from the books. 

 

The winning book for Harrison School is Moo by Sharon Creech and the runner-up is The Story of Diva and Flea by Mo Willems.  

  

We had so much fun and we can't wait to find out the winners for the whole state!