Teachers Guidelines

Greetings to Participating Teachers in the My Own Book Program!

As you can see, the My Own Book Program is an amazing venture that generates tremendous enthusiasm from the children, teachers and volunteers alike. The prospect of receiving $60 worth of books for a shopping spree at Barnes & Noble is a powerfully motivating force for enhancing the children’s interest in reading.

We have found that the program works best when the teachers are engaged and eager to prepare the kids for the trip. To that end, the following list sets out some of our requests for you to help make the program as special as it should be:

Prepare name tags for each child
Review the concepts of:
1. Genres
2. Rounding, estimating so they can calculate when the purchased
  books reach $60
3. Behavior In The Bookstore
4. How To Find a “Just Right” book
Help the children prepare a wish list of the books they would like to purchase. The list should contain a variety of genres and authors. We encourage the student not to purchase more than two books from any one author.
Dictionaries should be included if the child doesn’t have a dictionary at home.
If parents participate to help the class – not just their child — find books. In the interests of fairness to the other children, we ask that parents not provide extra money for their child to buy books over the $60 limit.
During the time the books are being cashed out by the bookstore staff, teachers and families may take advantage of this time to read with the children while they wait to get their books back.
My Own Book volunteers will return for a follow-up visit which usually occurs two to three weeks after the bookstore visit, so students should be prepared to talk about the books they have purchased

We appreciate your time and help and we thank you for your cooperation. We all look forward to working with you for an exciting day at the bookstore.

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Our journey with My Own Book Fund began with Joel Apelbaum and his wife in 2007. I remember Joel and his wife coming in and proposing this wonderful program for our third graders. For the last thirteen years, we have been so blessed to have over 1,500 students receive free books from Barnes and Noble to read, take home and create or add to their home libraries. There are very few book stores for families to access in our vicinity. My Own Book Fund provides the opportunity for our students to visit Barnes and Nobles and open a world of reading and turning pages of exciting books of their own choice. Their favorite books were read at home and in school and they wrote incredible stories about their experience in the My Own Book Fund program. We are grateful to continue our partnership with the My Own Book program and look forward to many years together for the benefit of our great and “Bronx Strong” students.
Graciela NavarroPrincipal, PS 35X

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I have been on many trips with my class over the years as a third grade Teacher. Each Trip was
well organized and exciting for the students. Thank you for your dedication to the children and
your love of books. You have helped to increase the students’ desire to explore new books.
Again, your philanthropy is greatly appreciated.
Ms. EadyGrade 3-337

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Our students have been very lucky to have the opportunity to participate in this program. This is a fabulous experience for them. For some of them, it is the first time they’ve ever been to a bookstore. By letting students have their own shopping experience, My Own Book Fund is a wonderful program that encourages and implements the love of reading.
Georgia KotsogiannisThird Grade Teacher, PS 166Q

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I would to take this moment to thanks Mrs. Davenel for allowing me to chaperoned the trip to Barnes and Nobles. It was an amazing experience, the kids were extremely happy and super excited that they have $50 dollars each to spend for their favorite books. Thank you so much for putting a beautiful smile to each of the kids.
Johanna Segura-ArenasParent

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I would like to use this opportunity to thank you for organizing the school trip to Barnes and Noble bookstore in November last year. I had a pleasure to chaperone my twin daughters third grade classes, one led by you and another one led by Mrs. K. In my opinion the trip was a great success.
Mrs. AguillarParent

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Dear My Own Book Fund, On November 6, 2019, Class 3-311 from P. S. 166Q had the pleasure of going to Barnes and Noble Bookstore to select $50 worth of free books. The students were so excited. We prepared for this special event by learning about different genres, how to select books based on Just Right Levels, and how to estimate the value of a book to the nearest dollar. Students also learned the difference between hard and soft -covered books. They learned about the great bargain table, too. They had a grand time selecting their own books with help from all the volunteers. The students were so proud of their selections. The bus ride back to school was so quiet. Each child was so immersed in their books. The trip really inspired the children to read. I highly recommend this trip, and I have been part of this great experience since it began at our school. Mr. Freeman has definitely enhanced child literacy by giving students this opportunity to participate in this program. Thank you so much.
Mrs. Annmarie DavenelTeacher of Class 3-311

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Thank you for reaching out about highlighting some of our students and their experiences with My Own Book Fund on your website. It has always been an absolute favorite trip of ours and our relationship with you all has meant a lot to us over the years.
Lambrini MatsasAssistant Principal, PS 166 Queens

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Every year the volunteers and My Own Book Fund support our school, our third graders, with the greatest gift – books! And every year our third graders look forward to the day when they get to take the special field trip and choose books of their own from Barnes & Noble and add to their at home personal libraries. I am filled with gratitude on behalf of my students and their families. I love watching happy third graders return from their amazing day. They run up the stairs, beaming with excitement about their newest treasures. THANK YOU MY OWN BOOK FUND for fostering a love of reading in children and supporting a very appreciative community!!
Robin BergAssistant Principal, PS 126/MAT

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When I was asked to express how My Own Book Fund has impacted the lives of our children at P.S. 1 I can only be reminded of the poem one of our fourth graders wrote for A Poem in My Pocket Day this past April. These experiences and adventures with books have opened up opportunities for our children that are endless for their imaginations and their creative growth. As they come to understand their current world, your gift of books have given them a moment of inspiration and peace through a character's actions and stories. Certainly through books and the stories they've read, it will support them in deciding what matters in their lives for the future.

Thank you and I'm so grateful for your vision and a passion to ensure a library of our children at P.S. 1.
Amy HomPrincipal, PS 1

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My Own Book has been a saving grace for my students. Many of my students do not have access to brand new books often. Most of my students live with several siblings and cousins, so for them to have their own books just for them, is something that doesn't happen for them nearly as often as it should. Seeing the looks on my students' faces as we enter Barnes and Noble and as they search for their books is completely priceless. Thank you to My Own Book for providing these students with brand new books. These books help them to really truly enjoy reading.
Allison Reich3rd Grade teacher, PS 126M