QUINCY, MI (WTVB) – More books equals more reading is the theme of a success story at Quincy High School. What started as a simple desire to “foster the love of reading” blossomed into a winning classroom project through the help of the Quincy Education Endowment Fund of Branch County Community Foundation.
Quincy Freshman English teacher Sue Spalding said after attending several professional development opportunities last year, she realized that in order to develop the love of reading in her students, she had to have books of high interest to high school students readily available in her classroom. Spalding applied for and received a $250 grant through the Branch County Community Foundation last fall and is in the process of finalizing the purchase of over 30 books for her classroom library.
Barb Swallow at The Swallow’s Nest in Quincy assisted in the process of purchasing many of the books by finding them in her store or ordering them from her various resources. Spalding also says the grant purchases inspired the donation of numerous books by various students and the gift of several books from high school media specialist Sarah Taylor.
The enthusiasm grew as students were required participate in silent sustained reading and to “book talk” what they were reading so others would be familiar with the books available in the classroom. In the end, Spalding said she had four times as many books signed out this year as compared to last.
For more information about making a donation to the Quincy Education Endowment Fund, contact the Branch County Community Foundation by phone or e-mail or visit their website at www.BrCoFoundation.org.
