2008 Year End Picnic
The students from Mrs. Armstrong's and Mrs. Stafford's classrooms were fortunate to work with some employees from Lowes to build bird feeders.
	Students from Mrs. Jerome-Pertilla's third grade class take building seriously. They have just completed a science unit about making structures.
Skip West Sings at Gibson Gibson students were fortunate to be entertained by Skip West. Skip is a nationally known award winning musician. He entertains children with a variety of musical styles. Skip West will be playing for the children in our community during the 4th of July celebration.

Mrs. McPuppet Visits Gibson

Gibson Primary students combined fun and learning when they had a visit from Mrs. McPuppet on Thursday, April 3. Sponsored by Gibson PTA, Mrs. McPuppet brought her puppets to life as children learned about important topics such as science, geography and good citizenship. Whether students were singing along with the song Aquarium that explored marine life or having a conversation with Baby Hippo who comes from Africa, students were smiling and engaged in active learning.

Thank you Gibson PTA for bringing this wonderful event to our students at Stanford Gibson Primary School!

100 Book Challenge Target Information

The 100 Book Challenge is a systematic independent reading program.  Its purpose is to be sure that all children learn the life habit of independent reading.  A successful 100 Book Challenge classroom is one in which every child has met the minimal goal of 407 Steps per year.  Each Step is worth 15 minutes of independent reading.  Young avid readers read three to five times that amount on average. 

Every classroom, Kindergarten through fifth grade, participates in the 100 Book Challenge for 30 minutes each school day – that is equivalent to two Steps.  The teacher is actively coaching independent reading during 100 Book Challenge time.  Each teacher is monitoring the whole class, working with a small group of children, or conferencing with individuals, but in all cases, is supporting and assessing their success in books they have chosen to read for their reasons. 

The parent / guardian is the home coach and in charge of deciding what “counts” for 100 Book Challenge reading at home.  Some readers may only read one Step per night or per week at home.  Other readers will read more than that.  Avid readers typically read four to seven Steps a night.  It is recommended that students read in their reading zones, but the parent / guardian should be the judge of home success levels.  Any book counts for 100 Book Challenge independent reading, not just 100 Book Challenge books.

Reading Log books have been developed for both Stanford Gibson and Perry Browne students.  Reading logs are completed accurately and used to track the progress of each student.  Parents and teachers know how many Steps each student has completed. 

At the end of each school day, students from both elementary buildings transport their 100 Book Challenge books, skills cards, and log books home for evening homework.  A Step or more is logged in and initialed by the home coach.  In the morning, all materials are returned back to school, ready for the designated 100 Book Challenge reading period in each classroom.

“The top 5% of students in achievement read 144 times more than the lowest 5%.”  Terrance Paul, Institute for Academic Excellence, University Research Park, Madison, WI.

End of the Year Targets

A Good Reader will reach 407 Steps by the end of the school year.  That means the reader will read each day at school, five days per week, and earn two Steps per day.  The reader will also read one extra Step at home per week.

A Better Reader will reach 485 Steps by the end of the school year.  That means the reader will read each day at school, five days per week, and earn two Steps per day.  The reader will also read three extra Steps at home per week.

The Best Reader will reach 740 Steps by the end of the school year.  That means the reader will read four Steps per day, 5 days per week.

Gibson Contact: Mrs. Karaman @ 334-1600 x 4063
Browne Contact:  Mrs. Tackabury @ 334-1600 x 3018