After being frequently asked by parents about suitable books in Spanish for motivated students, I have been using "Club Leo" (Spanish/English book club) from Scholastic which offers a wide selection of trade books for PreK-5 from the US, Latin American, and Spain.. (I wonder if there is such a children's book club in French or other languages???)
Scholastic sends me a print catalogue every few months. It's an easy way to keep current on what is available in trade books. I DO NOT SEND HOME THE ORDER FORMS THEY SEND ME!!! Instead, I select particular items to offer to students that I think would be beneficial to my grade 2,3,4 classes -- picture dictionaries, software, bilingual books, music, and books with accompanying CDs so they can read along, etc. I do not want children to be frustrated with what they order. I try to see the copy in English first if there are no sample pages available on amazon.com to make sure the book is not over their heads or too babyish. Scholastic features José-Luis Orozco's books frequently, too, which are sure hits.
I then make up a new order form with the items and short descriptions and present them as a package -- not as separate items (i.e. book + CD = price of both together). I also order classroom, prize, and library "gift" books that would be appealing to these age groups. Since I travel on a cart, I have a special box I keep these books in and use them periodically. The children are thrilled to have a book just in Spanish in their hands that they can read and comprehend the gist (not every word, of course).
Club Leo also offers bonuses for teachers, too, depending on the amount of your order -- like reward stickers, classroom materials, and resource books. You receive points and they accumulate. There are even more bonus points for your first order; if another teacher recommended the club to you, s/he also receives points then if you mention his/her name and customer number. It's a nice, non-pressure program because you order whenever you wish and there is no minimum; you can order by mail, by phone, or online. The books arrive very quickly, too.
I checked with my principal before I began the program and she suggested I enclose a diplomatic letter that states that my Club Leo was not meant to replace the regular Scholastic book clubs run by the regular classroom teachers for their children:
"In response to requests from Goodwin parents and students, here is the first opportunity to purchase quality Spanish and bilingual books and music from Scholastic through the new "¡ Club Leo ! " (I Can Read in Spanish !). Participation is voluntary and does not replace the regular classroom teacher's book club. Most items I have selected come with CD to enable you and your child(ren) to listen to the text, an essential part of beginning stages of reading in a new language and the first step to independent reading in Spanish. This form serves as both the order form and the envelope. Read through the descriptions below. Then select the desired items, the quantity for each, and calculate the prices. Please enclose a check/money order payable to "Scholastic Book Clubs" and turn order form over, follow directions for folding, and seal with tape or staple shut. Then return the form to me through your child's regular classroom teacher by Friday, December 20, 2009. Items will arrive in January. What a nice treat to receive for the first cold month of the new year! "
Click on the pencil below to access the form I use to send home to parents.
