• Toomer Elementary's Reading Revolution: A Parent’s Guide to Empowering Our Scholars

    Toomer Parents and Caregivers, get ready to embark on an exciting literacy journey with your scholars! This year, we're pulling out all the stops to ensure our students become passionate, proficient readers. Here's what's in store:

    Race2Read: The 10 Million Minute Challenge

    Put on your reading shoes because we're racing towards an incredible goal! Toomer Elementary is joining Atlanta Public Schools' Race2Read challenge. Our mission? To collectively read 10 million minutes this year, district-wide.

    Here's how you can join the fun:

    • Encourage your child to read 20 minutes per day.

    • Log reading minutes on the Beanstack app through myBackpack:

      • Navigate to myBackpack: https://mybackpack.apsk12.org 

      • Enter the APS student username (username) and lunch ID (password).

      • Click on the Beanstack icon.

      • Track your reading.

      • Earn badges and help APS reach our goal of 10 million minutes!

      • To access Race2Read via the Beanstack website, click here, enter the APS student username and race2read as the password.

    • Participate in monthly themed reading challenges.

    • Compete for exciting prizes and school-wide recognition!

    Where It Lives: You can log minutes for Race2Read at school, home or on-the-go. Set a timer during a reading session, or log minutes after reading your favorite book. It’s easy!

    Pro Tip: Try to maintain reading “streaks”, challenging your child to read for 2 days in a row, then 3, and so on, increasing the streak length as they hit each milestone! It gives them a sense of accomplishment and builds great daily habits.

    Remember, Race2Read is open to all grade levels, and all reading counts, whether it’s parent bedtime read-alouds or self-guided reading. Let's show Atlanta that Toomer is a reading powerhouse!

    Accelerated Reader (AR): Personalized Reading Adventures

    AR is our secret weapon for tailored reading growth:

    • Students choose books at their level and pace

    • Computer quizzes assess comprehension

    • Teachers use data to set personalized goals

    • STAR Reading assessments track progress

    Where It Lives: In the classroom. Your child’s teacher can help them with book selection, goals and quiz administration.

    Pro Tip: Ask your child's teacher for their AR reading level to help them choose just-right books!

    The Magic Book Vending Machine

    Yes, you read that right! You may have noticed that Toomer now has a book vending machine!

    Here’s how it works:

    • Students earn special tokens for reading achievements, like logging minutes on Race2Read.

    • Tokens can be used to "purchase" brand new books.

    • It’s a free and rewarding way to build home libraries while making reading fun!

    Where It Lives: At School. Students get access to the vending machine through their teachers and reading team. Parents can celebrate kids who receive their free book(s), while encouraging them to read (and log) their latest addition to their home library!

    Other Reading Resources That Parents Should Definitely Know About

    Our Media Specialist, Ms. Gambrell-Jones publishes a literacy newsletter that covers all things reading & Toomer. With reading lists, resource links, news and more, this is an amazing resource for families!

    • Did you know?

      • Through a partnership with the Atlanta Fulton County Public Library, EVERY student has a digital library card through the CLASS PASS system. Learn more here.

      • The My Backpack learning portal gives students access to audiobooks and eBooks through its Sora app – and it’s accessible to all students. 

      • In September and October 2024, the now-complete Buzzer Reader challenge rewarded students who had logged the most minutes in Race2Read to attend a Georgia Tech basketball game. Toomer’s very own Flynn Allen was recognized in the APS newsletter as the first grader with the most minutes read in that time period. Cougar PRIDE!

    How You Can Help Your Child Nurture a Love of Reading:

    1. Create a Cozy Reading Nook

    Designate a special space in your home for reading. No need to be fancy – all you need are comfy pillows, soft lighting, and a variety of books. Let your child help decorate it to make it their own cozy corner. This creates a positive association with reading as a relaxing and enjoyable activity.

    1. Let Them Choose Their Books

    Allow your child to pick out books that interest them, whether it’s about dinosaurs, superheroes, or space! Giving them the freedom to choose what they read fosters independence and excitement about books. For reluctant readers, even comic books or graphic novels can be a great start.

    1. Make Reading a Family Affair

    Set aside time to read together as a family. Whether it’s reading aloud before bed or taking turns reading pages, this shared experience builds strong bonds and makes reading feel like a fun group activity. You can even have family book discussions—ask questions like “What do you think will happen next?” or “Who’s your favorite character?”

    1. Use Audiobooks and Read-Alouds

    Audiobooks are great for long car rides or quiet time at home. They help build vocabulary and comprehension while making stories come alive. You can also read aloud to your child, even if they’re older—everyone loves a good story.

    1. Turn Reading Into an Adventure

    Encourage your child to explore different genres and types of books: mysteries, science fiction, biographies, or even cookbooks! You can turn it into a challenge by creating a "Reading Passport" where they earn stamps for each genre, or type of book, they try.

    1. Incorporate Reading Into Daily Life

    Show your child that reading is everywhere! Read menus at restaurants, signs on the road, or instructions for games together. This helps them see the practical side of reading and makes it part of their everyday life.

    1. Celebrate Achievements with Fun Rewards

    For every book completed or reading goal met (like in Toomer’s Accelerated Reader program), celebrate with small rewards like extra playtime or a trip to the library to pick out new books. You could also use Toomer’s Book Vending Machine tokens as an exciting way for them to earn new books!

    1. Reading Partners

    Pair up siblings or friends for reading sessions where they take turns reading aloud to each other. This can make reading more social and fun for reluctant readers while helping them build confidence.

    1. Attend Book-Related Events

    Take your child to local book fairs, author signings, or library events. Meeting authors or participating in storytime can make books feel magical and exciting. Many libraries and bookstores host storytime sessions. Toomer Elementary's IB Culminating Task Showcase is another great opportunity to celebrate learning through stories!

    1. Model Your Own Love of Reading

    Let your child see you reading! Whether you’re enjoying a novel or flipping through a magazine, showing them that you love reading will inspire them to follow suit. Share what you’re reading with them and ask about their current book.

     

    By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you'll help foster a lifelong love of reading in your child—whether they’re just starting out in kindergarten or already devouring chapter books in 5th grade! 

     

    Other Reading & Media Center FAQs

    • Q: My child brought home a library book. (Yay!) When do they need to return it?

      • Good for them! K-5 students are able to check out 2 books at a time for a 2-week period. Make sure to remind your readers to treat their library loaners with care and to return the books by the due date, which may not always be clearly marked on the book itself. 

    • Q: Wait, I like to read, too! Can parents borrow books? 

      • Yes! Parents of Pre-K through grade 5 students can check out up to 5 books for a 2-week period. You can also visit a nearby library, like the Kirkwood Library, for storytimes, events and an expanded assortment of books. It takes seconds to register for an online library card! 

     

    Together, we'll create a community of confident, enthusiastic readers. For any questions on how your child can jumpstart their reading adventures, connect with Toomer’s Media Specialist, Ms. Gambrell-Jones.