Teacher starts unique book exchange

Tammy Jo White, a fourth grade reading teacher at Camargo Elementary School, has established a unique book exchange at the school to encourage reading.

Called “Our Little Library” or “Camargo Reading Trading Post,” it is a book exchange in which teachers across the building donate a book with a handwritten book review inside, White told the Advocate.

“This allows students to see some of our teachers’ recommendations as we first get our Trading Post started,” White said.

In order to take a book, students can bring a book they have at home to donate, she explained.

The students are supposed to write a handwritten review in their book so others will want to read what they have donated, White said.

All students, kindergarten through fifth grade, are encouraged to participate, she said.

“Students may read and exchange as many books as they would like,” White said.

The school’s Parent Teacher Organization has generously agreed to donate $50 per grade level, which enables teachers to let participating students be in a drawing for free books from Scholastic, she said.

“This exchange program is another way to promote and extend reading beyond our classrooms to instill a love for reading,” White said. “Through this exchange with handwritten reviews, our Trading Post allows students a voice for sharing what they have read with others. We want to build a community where we grow as readers and communicators.”