Mrs. Becky Haenfler, the 5th and 6th grade Language Arts teacher, has been doing a summer reading challenge for several years. Barnes and Nobles offers a summer reading program that requires students to read eight books over the summer and fill out a form to get a free book. In order to go on Mrs. Haenfler’s Barnes and Nobles field trip, students are required to read eight books, complete the Barnes and Nobles form and fill out extra graphic organizers and information that is asked of them.

The Barnes and Nobles field trip takes place at the beginning of the school year. There were 21 students who completed the challenge. They take a tour of the store, and each student gets to pick out their free book. The students are allowed to browse the store and purchase additional books if they choose. The students also get a free Starbucks drink while they are at the store. After leaving the store, they go to the park and eat lunch and enjoy a little free time before heading back to Avon.

Mrs. Haenfler started this challenge because she wanted to encourage kids to read during the summer and give them the flexibility to choose what they read to make it more enjoyable for the students. She enjoys taking the kids to Barnes and Nobles, because for some of the students it is their first time in a bookstore. This is one of Mrs. Haenfler’s favorite trips of the year. For her, books and coffee make the perfect day. Thank you, Mrs. Haenfler, for giving your students this opportunity and encouraging your students to read more.