Links to Literacy Gimmicks spark more student reading Last spring, James Marconi, principal of Monroe Elementary in Logan Square wore his pajamas to work and kissed a monkey brought to the school just for that smooch. The next day, Joy Donovan, principal of Ravenswood Elementary, roller-skated on the roof while teachers brought their students to cheer her on. For reading's sake. There's another gimmick, too.
Schools create paper chains, adding a link for every book read.
The children pull on my sleeve and tell me the books they've read. Last year, Bateman's 957 students read more than 28,000 books, or 29 per child. Lubov also worked to get every child registered for a library card, passing out buttons as rewards. Writing or reciting poems merits yet another button. At Ravenswood, students visit nearby Sulzer Library and produce a school newspaper with book reviews.