Monday, August 1, 2011

So what is SSYRA anyway?

        Do you know about SSYRA (Sunshine State Young Readers Awards) books? This is a statewide reading motivation program for students in 3rd-8th grades. Each year there is a list of books chosen to be on this list. This year's list of titles and authors can be found on the right side of this blog.  Since the books on this list range from 3rd-5th grades they may be above your/your child’s independent reading level.  This is one of the many reasons why this summer I made it one of my goals to read all fifteen of the SSYRA books before school started.  I am happy to announce that I was able to meet this goal with a few weeks to spare.  Another reason why I wanted to read all of the books is because Mrs. Miller, our librarian, encourages the CTE students in grades 3rd-5th to read these books and even gives the incentive of ice cream to everyone who reads at least three of the books . . . and let's be honest I love ice cream.  The third and most important reason that I wanted to read all of the books on the list is because I wanted to be able to make recommendations of the books to future readers.
       My next post will include a ranking of this year's SSYRA books-according to my personal reading preferences.  I am excited to hear/read about what you think.  Until then . . .

2 comments:

  1. Wow... I have only read a few so far! I was drawn to your blog because I teach fourth grade in Florida. I am in my eighth year in the Tampa Bay area, but I went to Flagler College and interned in St. Augustine in 2004.

    Excited to find other Florida teachers! Hope to hear more about your classroom adventures this year!

    Victoria
    love4thgrade.blogspot.com

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  2. I remember reading the Sunshine State books when I was in school! I always made it my goal to read all of them. I'll have to look at adding some of these to my classroom!

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