This is my 11th year as a librarian, and over that time I’ve made many changes to my systems and lessons in the library. Well, now that we know we will be starting this school year virtually, I’ve had to rethink how I celebrate the Texas Bluebonnet books with my students. So after brainstorming, I created a fun Virtual Bluebonnet Wall of Fame!
If you’re not familiar with the Texas Bluebonnet Books, you can read about them on my post here. My processes from that post have already gone through some major changes! The first change happened when I was put into the Special’s rotation. I no longer had time between classes where kids could come down and talk to me about the Bluebonnet books they had read. So, I did away with the Bluebonnet binder and put everything on our website. In order to help my students stay accountable for understanding what they read, I used Google Forms to create short 5-question quizzes that the kids could do after reading the books. This actually proved to be a great improvement as kids could take the quizzes at home right after the finished the book instead of having to wait until the next day to talk to me.
Each time a student finishes a quiz, the Google Form would email me and I would then add their name on my spreadsheet. The form has a function embedded in the cells. If you enter a score of 80 or higher the cell will turn green. If their score was lower than 80, it would shade the cell red. My general rule with the kids is they need to score 80% or higher to get on the Bluebonnet Wall. (If you would like a copy of this spreadsheet, click here.)
I would then fill out a Bluebonnet ticket to let them know how they did. Many students kept these tickets and taped them inside their reading journal or inside their locker. Then I would add them to our Bluebonnet Wall. Once they had their name up there 5 times (for 5 books read), then they would get their picture taken and get onto our Wall of Fame! It was a great way to encourage students to read. I know it all sounds like A LOT of steps…but once you get into a rhythm it goes pretty quickly. I did have to set a schedule for myself, or things would quickly get out of hand. I did want to give kids as much immediate feedback as I could, so I would usually try to update the wall every day after school. It was always fun to see kids running into school to check the wall to see if their name was added, or counting how many people were on the Wall of Fame for having read 5 books.
If you would be interested in doing this Book Challenge with your students, you can find all the information you need here at my TpT store.
Now that we know we are going to be starting the year out virtually for the first 3 weeks, with the possibility of it going longer, I knew I needed to find a way to do everything virtually. So I created a Virtual Bluebonnet Wall of Fame. I have several students who have already started reading this year’s Texas Bluebonnet books, so I wanted to have some way to acknowledge them. In this virtual version, you just have to click on the book cover and it would take you to that books “page”. That’s where I would type in the student’s name. If you would like a copy, you can click here.
I’m hoping that even though we may be learning from home the first three weeks or more, this Virtual Bluebonnet Wall of Fame will help kids get excited about joining in on the reading fun!
I’d love to hear about any reading challenges you do with your kids!
Hi! This is such a great idea! We are not a google school so do you think there would be a way I could adapt this to Microsoft? In addition, would you be willing to share your quizzes for each book? Happy to purchase them as well. Thank you!
Hi Carrie,
I’m not sure how they would adapt to Microsoft, but you can see the questions by clicking on the books here at https://elemlibguides.leanderisd.org/c.php?g=809708&p=5779045. I hope this helps! 🙂
Sandy
Thank you so much Sandy! Sadly though when I click on that link it says I have to sign in with my Iogin and when I click on the cover it says I don’t have permission to access it. Any ideas?
Hi Carolyn,
Which link are you referring to?
Oh your link above where you said to click to see the questions. It doesn’t allow me access without logging in.
I also was trying to see the questions and it wouldn’t allow me access.
You can make a copy of the question folder here at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iajefzOv7rZFaGIkIOfu4L3bQaaYkTqK?usp=sharing
I hope this helps! 🙂
Sandy
Hi! I’ve been using your Bluebonnet Hall of Fame for a few years now and I love it! I clicked on the link and it also said I did not have permission. I would love a copy of the quizzes as well! I have not had time to read all the books!
Samantha
You can make a copy of the question folder here at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iajefzOv7rZFaGIkIOfu4L3bQaaYkTqK?usp=sharing
I hope this helps! 🙂
Sandy
Hi there! Thanks so much for sharing! I would love access to your quiz questions if possible. Your website requires sign in credentials. Thanks!
You can make a copy of the question folder here at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iajefzOv7rZFaGIkIOfu4L3bQaaYkTqK?usp=sharing
I hope this helps! 🙂
Sandy
This is so neat!
I’m always looking for ways to keep my 5th and 6th graders engaged. It can be challenging. Do you know if every state has a list like this and where to access it? I live in Montana.
Thanks!!!
Hi Marlee,
It looks like Montana has the “Montana Treasured State Award Books” here at: https://www.montanareads.org/treasure-state-award/2021-tsa-nominees
I hope this helps !:)
Sandy
please I need help with library skills lesson plans for k-5, weekly 30 minute interactive library lessons taught with students remotely viewing the smartboard. Thanks!
Hi Jean,
First of all, check out my posts on Choice Board activities.
Texas 2×2 Books: https://lessonsbysandy.com/2020/06/using-choice-boards-with-the-texas-2×2-books.html
Choice Boards for 3-5: https://lessonsbysandy.com/2020/07/choice-boards-for-the-upper-grades.html
I would also highly recommend you follow Shannon Miller! She has SO MANY good ideas that she shares with her readers, including many choice boards! Her website is here at https://vanmeterlibraryvoice.blogspot.com/ I’ve used many of her ideas to help me get through this year!
I hope this helps !:)
Sandy