Students in grades 3 through 5 participate in the S.C. Children's Book Award program. They read three or more titles to vote for their favorites. Those who read 15 titles earn a plaque for their efforts. Learning also occurs through book talks, exploration of literature genres, reading Caldecott and Newbery Award books, author studies, and the Newspapers in Education Program in which 30 newspapers are delivered every Thursday. In May, the media center and business partners host a four-part Reading Celebration for kindergarten, grade 1, grades 2 and 3, and grades 4 and 5.
Students receive certificates, medallions, ribbons, plaques, and new reading materials.
The public librarian promotes our summer reading program at this celebration. Our extra emphasis on reading cements the foundation for learning and establishes lifelong habits for recreational and educational reading. By emphasizing reading as a top priority, Harbison West has also been recognized by the S.C. International Reading Association for our excellent reading program. . Postcards are bundled to circulate in classrooms. On maps, students in grades 4 and 5 identify the cities, states, and nations where the postcards originated.