These slides accompanied a talk on mock award programs in the library--including school/public library partnerships--for the 2016 Missouri Association of School Librarians Fall Professional Development Day.

1. FOR A CHILD AUDIENCE:
MOCK AWARD PROGRAMS
IN THE LIBRARY
Amy Koester | MASL 2016

2. ON OUR AGENDA
• Why mock?
• Choosing the best award for your students
• Involving teachers & community members
• How to run a mock discussion, step by step
• Resources & time for questions

3. ANDYOU ARE…?
• Amy Koester, MLS
• Youth & Family Program
Supervisor, Skokie (IL) Public
Library
• Formerly St. Charles City-
County Library District
• The Show Me Librarian
• 2014 Newbery Award
Committee

4. WHY RUN A MOCK AWARDS
DISCUSSION INYOUR LIBRARY?
• Engage students in new ways of reading
• Build a community of critical readers
• Develop students’ evaluation & public speaking skills
• Ensure more people know about awards for great
books

5. CHOOSINGTHE BEST*
AWARD
*for your students

6. INVOLVINGTEACHERS &
COMMUNITY MEMBERS
• Think cross-curricular
• Engage your administration
• Contact your local library
• Consider your community
experts

7. HOWTO RUN A MOCK
DISCUSSION
Creating your “committee”:
• Determine your preferred age focus
• Don’t limit participation to “high” readers
• Consider best times for consistent participation
• Be open to subgroups

8. HOWTO RUN A MOCK
DISCUSSION
Sharing the award criteria:
• Talk about the award’s
history, past winners, &
criteria on day one
• Discuss what the criteria
mean
• Create a resource to make
the criteria accessible and
usable for your committee

10. HOWTO RUN A MOCK
DISCUSSION
Guide reading:
• Choose the books you
want to focus on
• Multiple copies vs. single
copies
• Leave room for “write-ins”

11. HOWTO RUN A MOCK
DISCUSSION
Facilitate discussion:
• Ask open-ended questions
“How did the pacing contribute to the story?”
• Encourage students to go deeper
“Tell me more about why the setting gave you the
creeps.”

12. HOWTO RUN A MOCK
DISCUSSION
Introduce new perspectives:
• Have an art teacher visit for a
Caldecott meeting
• Bring in a social studies teacher
for a Sibert discussion
• Older students can lend their
thoughts
• What other mockers are saying

13. HOWTO RUN A MOCK
DISCUSSION
Formal discussion (optional):
• ALA committees use the
CCBC discussion format:
• Round 1: Positives
• Round 2: Negatives
• Round 3: Responses
(optional)
• Create your own format

14. HOWTO RUN A MOCK
DISCUSSION
Vote:
• Explain the balloting process
• Print voting slips with clear lines for first, second,
and third choices
• Tally votes and repeat as necessary

15. HOWTO RUN A MOCK
DISCUSSION
Celebrate!
• Recognize the work your
students have put in
• Share their winners around
school
• Celebrate the official award
announcements, too!

16. BONUS: INCENTIVIZE
PARTICIPATION
• Make it a club
• Arrange for classroom
benefits
• Waive overdue fines for
mock books

17. SOME GREAT RESOURCES
• Book & Media Awards Committee Manuals,ALSC
• How to Host a Mock Newbery Book Club: 10 Easy
Steps,Armin Arethna & Mary Ann Scheuer
• Newbery and Caldecott Mock ElectionsTool Kit,ALSC
• The Newbery Award & Mock Award Discussion
Resources, The Show Me Librarian (Amy Koester)

18. QUESTIONS?
amy.e.koester@gmail.com
@amyeileenk