Teacher Previews
Invite teachers to browse after the Fair is set up. This kids-free sneak peek gives them a chance to choose the books they want to add to their classroom libraries. And once they’re familiar with the Fair, teachers can help students find the books they’ll love.
During the teacher preview:
- Encourage them to create a Teacher Wish List, so students’ families can donate to help stock classroom shelves.
- Ask teachers to fill out shelf-talkers recommending their favourite books.
- Kick off the Preview with a Booktalk to help to inspire independent reading.
- Host a scavenger hunt activity—an easy and fun way to get staff to discover books and explore your Fair!
Student Previews
Invite each class to visit the Book Fair before they shop. Student previews give kids a chance to explore the Fair and create wish lists to share with their families. When the time comes to shop, the kids know what they want!
- Print and hand out student wish lists for kids to fill in.
- Point out shelf-talkers and teacher-recommended books.
- Share book resources like book trailers to hype the books.
Family Events
Boost participation at your Book Fair when you host a family event during Fair week. Grown-ups get to see their child’s Bookjoy up close, and kids get to show off the books they can’t wait to read. Invite families to shop with their kids during morning drop-off, parent-teacher night, or an after-school shindig.
Make it an event to remember when you:
- arrange photo ops to preserve precious memories,
- serve delicious, healthy snacks,
- invite your principal to greet families,
- and schedule fun activities like raffles and games.
NEW! Family Events with Authors
Amp up your Family Event with a free live virtual author visit hosted on Storyvoice, Scholastic’s live read-aloud platform. Kids and families get to engage with the authors of their favourite titles available at the Fair.
The featured fall 2024 author is Carmen Agra Deedy reading Carina Felina. She’ll appear live on:
- October 17 at 6pm ET
- November 14 at 6pm ET
Here’s how to host:
- Schedule a Family Event for one of the showtimes above.
- Download, print, and share the promotional materials below.
- On the day of your Family Event, visit Storyvoice and use a projector or SMART Board to project the website* onto a large screen so everyone can read along.
- Before and after the show, make sure families have time to shop the Fair with kids.
*We recommend using the Google Chrome browser to access Storyvoice.
Family Event Invite – Carmen Agra Deedy
Use this customizable invitation to invite families to your school’s Book Fair Family Event.
Download
Family Event Social Post – Oct 17
Use this image on social media to promote your school’s Family Event.
Download
Family Event Social Post – Nov 14
Use this image on social media to promote your school’s Family Event.
DownloadStoryvoice
Meet the authors behind the most popular books at the Fair.
Get kids hyped for the Fair with Storyvoice, the digital platform where popular authors and illustrators read aloud to your students. Storyvoice hosts FREE weekly live read-aloud events, and when you host a Fair, your school gets exclusive benefits.
- Take your students behind the scenes with authors before live events.
- Listen for shout-outs to your school from the host or author during the show.
- Participate in a live conversation with the author.
Bookjoy Boosters
Rally your school around reading by organizing excitement-building, Bookjoy-boosting activities that’ll have everyone psyched and ready for the Fair.
Keep reading front and centre in the days and weeks leading up to the Fair when you:
- Use Scholastic Dollars to reward students with books when they get “caught reading.”
- Host a reading-themed spirit week.
- Organize a principal-faculty challenge, such as “a funny dance routine at a school assembly” or “slime the principal” to meet your Fair’s goal.
- Plan easy, engaging contests—like door-decorating contests—to get kids pumped about the Fair.
More to Explore
Watch explainer videos and brush up on more helpful info in the Host Hub Learning Lab.
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