Students in Renae Calhouns English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at Polk Central Elementary were recently able to choose free books to take home from the Barns and Nibbles shop Ms. Renae had created in her classroom.

Calhoun created the project as a fun way to provide students with a few gently used storybooks to take home and to promote literacy during non-school times. The books were displayed at different learning stations in Calhouns room. Students were able to enjoy reading activities, and then choose five books to take home.

During the activity, students were able to nibble popcorn and other snacks while they enjoyed their new books. The room and activities focused on a farm theme and included farm-related learning games and music.

The students also completed follow-up activities that included farm related riddles, word searches, crossword puzzles, and fill in the blank worksheets.

The program was named Barns and Nibbles as a play on words of the book seller Barnes and Noble. Studies show that strong literacy skills are developed and maintained more readily when students have books in their homes.