When third graders in Jena Amedeo’s class at Lakeview Elementary arrived at school recently, they were greeted with a special surprise – their classroom had been transformed into a “book tasting” café. Red and white gingham tablecloths covered the desks, place mats and chef hats were set out for each student, and baskets of books in a variety of genres were on the tables, ready to be “tasted.
The special event served as the kickoff to the students’ first reading unit of the year, Building a Reading Life. To make the launch both fun and meaningful, the book tasting gave students a creative way to sample different genres of books they will encounter throughout the year during Readers Workshop.
“These are the kinds of experiences that stay with children,” Amedeo said. “My hope is that this book tasting will become a core memory for them, one that inspires a lifelong love of reading and reminds them that exploring books can be joyful and exciting.
With their chef hats on, students browsed various books, spent time reading selections and recorded their impressions on “tasting sheets,” rating and reflecting on each new title they explored. Students laughed, shared discoveries and proudly announced their new favorites. At one point, a student shouted out, “This is the best day ever!” a sign of the enthusiasm in the room. The activity encouraged students not only to try something new, but also to think about what kinds of stories spark their interest and excitement.
The event was a hit with students and staff alike, serving as both a celebration of reading and an invitation to begin a yearlong journey into new genres, stories and adventures.
