Got Milk Jugs? Build a Reading Igloo

A huge thank you to parent volunteer Laura Graudons, who told us about this really "cool" project that puts the fun in fuctional, while putting kids in a cozy reading nook, right inside their school (with a boost from a grant through from Donors Choose to complete the non-fiction library, btw):

We reached out to Broad Street Elementary School reading specialist Danielle Catabia, who is the mastermind of the project. Here's how she explained it:

"I have made the Milk Jug Igloo in the past when I was a classroom teacher, and found that the kids were so excited and engaged in this project. As a reading specialist, I thought it would be a fun actvity school-wide. I sent a letter to all families requesting gallon-sized milk jugs. Several parents also signed-up to help with the building aspect. The response was incredible. Within weeks we collected all of the milk jugs we needed an began construction right after our December break.

The Milk Jug igloo serves as a kick-off to our Non-fiction Book Nook, which is located in a central spot in our building. I developed this area as part of our building action plan, which relates directly to the common core standards. Our school is focusing on providing more nonfiction/informational text into instruction at all grade-levels. I wrote a grant through Donors Choose and received a complete levelized nonfiction book library serving grades K-5.  I thought building the igloo would be a fun way to launch this resource and provide students and teachers with an engaging area to come and explore important componants of nonfiction/informational text.

We used 441 milk jugs total!

During the last few weeks teachers and students have been excited to help with the construction and have utilized this area to inspire students in the area of reading. It has been a wonderful school-community project.