Once it was located, they added it to their book tower. Students, using the catalog, searched for the book. I then divided the students into five different colored groups (one Jenga game per group). While it took longer to set up, the activity today went smoothly because the students were not racing after the same books on the shelves. This totaled 125 books (25 books per group, times 5 groups). The books I chose were the top 50 books from the previous year as well as our state student choice award nominees (Golden Sowers), and some great nonfiction books that I thought deserved some air time.
Once a number was selected the title and author of a book in the collection would be displayed on the Google Form. Then, I made a Google (the password is “BOOKJENGAPURPLE”–all capital letters, all one word) that allowed students to select numbers from a drop down menu.
Library Jenga was a HIT! First, I took five classic Jenga sets and attached numbered stickers to roughly half of the blocks in each set (around 25 each). After reflecting on my practice the last few years I knew that the students needed to be instructed on how to use the catalog, but I needed to make it fun and interactive. Ok I needed a way to spruce up Library Orientationand fast.
