The 3D mine entrances were decorated with donkeys pulling carts labeled with class names. The culminating event was a Gold Rush Festival with carnival games of skill and chance. Students read their way to become a crab, octopus, marlin and great white shark. The walls were decorated with colorful fish designed by each student in collaboration with the art teacher. We established a salt water aquarium in the front hall and added sea creatures as classes met their reading goals.
Students read to become a page, a squire and eventually a knight.
Once knighthood was attained individualized reading quests were developed to encourage continued participation. The school halls were decorated to look like a castle with stone like paper and portcullises. Students who followed the medieval theme, were allowed to wear their costumes all day on Halloween, rather than just for the afternoon party as with other types of costumes. During assemblies, students were recognized with certificates, tunics and sashes, with ribbons added for quests completed. The end of year celebration was a Renaissance Fair with craft and carnival type games in keeping with the castle theme.