Sara Jennings, Russellville Independent Schools Instructional Facilitator for K-5, said, “I am so excited to announce that our District will be participating in the 2019-20 Kentucky Bluegrass Awards!”

The KBA awards are a student-choice award given to the books selected by Kentucky students in the grade bands of Preschool, K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. This means that teachers will receive copies of the nominated books for their classroom libraries.

“The books are phenomenal, and anyone will enjoy reading them with your students!” Jennings explains. “This year, Panther students will be participating in the Kentucky Bluegrass Awards (KBA)! This means they will read books nominated for the award, and then vote on their favorite book. The votes will be added to those of other students across the state to contribute to the best book according to Kentucky kids.

The following information details the process for ensuring all of our students read the books and have the opportunity to cast their ballots:

Each homeroom teacher in the Russellville Independent School District will receive a copy of each book in his or her designated grade band thanks to the Russellville READs! Grant. These books will be catalogued through the school and checked out to the classroom. Students will need to have access to the KBA books throughout the year, so there will be a designated space for them with some type of labeling to indicate that they are the KBA nominations. In addition, all students will receive a KBA bookmark with the book choices as a reminder of the titles.

As a teacher, there are some choices in how the books are presented to the students. Books that fit with the curriculum may be read aloud or present a book talk. The books may be placed in learning centers or literature circles and may be left in the classroom library for students to read during independent reading time. Students may take AR tests on the books, or may be asked to write a short book recommendation.

There will be a school-wide vote the week of March 20, to submit the winners before the state deadline. Ballots and materials will be provided for the students. The decision won’t be easy though - these books are all amazing!

More information about the KBA can be found at the following link: http://www.kasl.us/about-kba.html.

This is another EPIC project from Russellville READs!