CROWN ME!
2007 COMMUNITY READ!
VICTOR INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL IN ROCHESTER, NEW YORK!

In the summer of 2007, all teachers and administrators at Victor read Crown Me!, then a committee of 14 worked together to create a syllabus and plan for the next month of activities to go along with the book.

Crown Me! was read to all 900 students in their classrooms during that month. The book was used to discuss and emphasize leadership and community. Lessons were created with questions for each chapter, math word problems for each chapter, vocabulary words, idea to create door and hall and flag decorations, a crown decorating contest, classroom leaders and advisors and more.

The month long event culminated with a visit from me to the school for 2 days of presentations to the students, crown judging, lunch with students, and the closing event for the Community Read.

“Everyone is talking about what a great author visit we had. The kids thought it was so much fun. They truly enjoyed Crown Me! as a Community Read. Everyone has loved the book. Crown Me! has kid appeal and everyone on the Committee liked it, as well as the themes of leadership and community service.”

“This is the third year for a Community Read in the school. The intent is to generate excitement for reading by having all students and staff members read the same book. A committee of 14 teachers considered a number of books for this year’s Community Read. After reading the top contenders, they chose Crown Me!”

“Author Kathryn Lay’s author visit was fantastic. The students loved Crown Me! and were eager to meet her. She talked about why she became a writer, where her ideas come from and how she has to edit her work before publication. The presentation is interactive, allowing kids to share what they would do if they were King or Queen of the school. She also left times for student questions.”

— Maggie Elliott, Library Media Specialist, Victor Intermediate School.