City of Greenbelt

ACE READING CLUB

301-345-6660

ACTIVITIES

ACE Reading Club hosts NEA’s Read Across America

Mark your calendars now for NEA's Read Across America on March 2nd! The ACE Reading Club and the Greenbelt Recreation Department's Artful Afternoon are teaming up to bring Greenbelt the biggest reading bash they've ever seen! Make an art project, play some acting games, meet a sports celebrity, enjoy storytime, dress like your favorite Dr. Seuss character and more! Watch the ACE Reading Club website and newsletter, and your local newspapers for more details as the event draws near.

Monthly Newsletter and Reading Activity Calendar

Items in the newsletter include: fun articles, games, word puzzles, comics, upcoming events, jokes, and much more! We encourage students to contribute reading or writing related work to be published in our newsletter. Students can also send us their completed activities from the newsletter and we will post them on-line, print them in the newsletter, or considered for a special television program (see below). The monthly newsletter is sent to school principals, teachers, parents, and students via post mail, fax, or email. To sign up to receive the newsletter please contact the Program Coordinator.

How to use the newsletter and calendar in your classroom: Many teachers have their students write book reviews, stories, or poetry. They submit these to the ACE Reading Club for inclusion in the newsletter. Some teachers use the calendar activities as a jumpstart to interesting reading projects; and some teachers send the newsletter home with their students as a fun reading exercise.

Club Meetings
Club meetings are held one to two times per month after the regular school day. Club meetings include reading-related projects, games, and activities. There is at least one teacher from each school that acts as a representative or sponsor. To find out who this person is, please contact us. Meetings are limited to twenty students. Students must sign up for the meeting by contacting the Teacher-Sponsor.

Television Program Tapings
Book-It television program tapings occur in the school (for classroom assignments, and extra-curricular reading projects) and in the City Council Room or CARES offices in the Municipal Building for special tapings. Tapings are aired on the City of Greenbelt cable channel 71. For more information on this activity please see the Cable Tapings Information link in the Resources for Teachers section of this website.

How to use the tapings in your classroom: Many teachers, as part of an assignment, have their students write book reports/reviews, stories, or poetry along with a creative project. They submit these to the ACE Reading Club for the students to be taped. Tapings are aired on the City of Greenbelt cable channel 71.

Website
The website includes: Enrollment forms, Contest news, Events, Activities, Student artwork, Student book reviews, Parent's Corner, Teacher's Corner, and much more.

Pen Pals

This project is open to students in grades 4 thru 6. It is a unique project that will help students improve their reading and writing skills through a fun pastime. They will be able to learn about the Alaskan culture while sharing their own experiences of living in Greenbelt via letter-writing, video and audio tapes, and creative art projects. This project will be a collaborative effort between the ACE Reading Club and the schools in Kodiak Island, Alaska.

EVENTS

YOUNG AUTHOR’S CONTEST (Grades 3-5)

The contest is open to students in grades 3-5 who live or attend school in Greenbelt , Maryland . This contest focuses on both poetry and short fiction. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, and artistic quality/writing skill. For more information on entry deadline and complete rules, contact us or check out our website regularly.

How to use the Essay Contest in your classroom: Teachers can use the essay contest as an actual assignment for their students.

YOUTH WRITING CONTEST (Grades 6-12)

The contest is open to students in grades 6 thru 12 who live or attend school in Greenbelt, Maryland. This contest focuses on both poetry and short fiction. Students with winning entries are invited to attend the Greenbelt Youth Literary Showcase where they will present their work. For more information on entry deadline and complete rules, contact us or check out our website regularly.

How to use the Youth Writing Contest in your classroom: Teachers can use the contest as an actual assignment for their students.

ADDITIONAL PROJECTS

Greenbelt Voices Literary Magazine

Greenbelt Voices is a Literary Magazine offered by the ACE Reading Club. Any student who lives or attends school in Greenbelt , Maryland is eligible to submit poetry, short stories, or artwork. Some students who have work selected to be printed in our magazine are invited to attend the Greenbelt Youth Literary Showcase where they will present their work. For more information on entry deadline and complete rules, contact us or check out our website regularly.

How to use the Greenbelt Voices in your classroom: Teachers can use the Literary Magazine as an actual assignment for their students.

Volunteers/ Service Learning Hours

As a volunteer for the ACE Reading Club, high school students will have the opportunity to help plan, facilitate, and evaluate a variety of children’s programs. In order to become a volunteer students must complete and return the Volunteer Information Form. Part of this form requires that your parent or guardian read and sign a waiver. Once we receive your completed form, we will contact you regarding your eligibility and possible service hour dates available to you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 301-345-6660, or email lmurray@greenbeltmd.gov.