Frequently Asked Questions about
the Sunshing State Young Readers Award Program
(and how we participate at Lamarque Elementary)
 Q: What is the Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (SSYRA) Program?
A: SSYRA is a statewide reading motivation program for students in grades 3 through 8. Its purpose is to encourage students to read independently for personal satisfaction based on interest rather than reading level.
Q: What's the purpose?
A: To entice students to read high interest, contemporary literature for personal enjoyment. In the longterm, the goal is to nurture lifelong readers who will continue to read for information needs and personal pleasure.
Q: How do they encourage kids to read?
A: Students state-wide get to vote on the best young adult book of the previous year from a selection of 15 books selected by Media Specialists. To qualify to vote, a student must have read at least 3 of the books from the list (read-alouds or independent reading). Last year, over 63,800 students voted in the statewide balloting for their favorite book.
Q: When and where will students vote at Lamarque?
A: March 25 - 28 during their regular Media Center time.
Q: What are the 15 nominated books this year for Grades 3-5?
Visit the Lamarque media center web site at http://teachers.srqk12.net/jdavidsmeyer/.aspx for a complete list, summaries, and Lexile levels. Click on the picture of the cover for teaching ideas and related web sites for your kids to visit.
Q: Who sponsors it?
A: Florida department of education and FAME (Florida Association for Media in Education).
Q: Who runs the local programs?
A: Library Media Specialists in participating schools.
Q: How are books selected?
A: SSYRA books are selected for their wide appeal, literary value, varied genres, curriculum connections, and/or multicultural representation. Students are encouraged to read books that are above, on, and below their tested reading level to improve their reading fluency.
Q: How do you verify that a student actually read the book?
A: Since this program stresses reading for pleasure, FAME discourages requiring students to complete an assignment or test to prove they have read a book. Some take a parent's signature verifying the child read the book at home. Some will have a casual book talk. But the choice is up to individual teachers.
Q: Are support materials available?
A: Yes. Materials incude:
(SSYRA FAQ prepared by Jo Davidsmeyer) |