Charger Guys Read

Over 50 guys attended our first session. Was it the free pop? No matter. The Guys Read survey showed that most guys want to have sports-related guest speakers, so I’ll start there. Tune in soon to see who we’re getting….

On May 15, Guys READ guys got a visit from Mike Egenes, Sports Editor of The Pantagraph. He told us some ways to get started in sports reporting, focused on the importance of covering local teams, and shared some behind-the-scenes sports reporting stories. Then guys got to hear about some great books written by sportswriters, including Last Shot and Vanishing Act by John Feinstein, Travel Team, Heat, and Miracle on 49th Street by Mike Lupica, and Adam Canfield of the Slash by Michael Winerip. What awesome reads to start out a sports-filled summer!

Get yours at Acme in Downtown Normal.

Next Guys Read is Tuesday, October 24 during study hall.

The Crime/Detection edition will feature booktalks, a screening of the Stormbreaker trailer (in case you haven’t seen it already) and guest speaker Officer Jerry Worden from the Normal Police Department. Officer Worden will share surveillance techniques and equipment, including what is used at NCHS.

Sign up to attend in study hall by Monday, 10/23.

Today marked the first sessions of Guys Read at CJHS, and we’re off to a great start! Small groups met both 7th and 8th hours–groups just the right size for core membership.

Here’s what we did:

• Mrs. Glatt talked about what Guys Read is (according to founder Jon Scieszka) and what it can be at CJHS
• Guys listened to stories from Guys Write for Guys Read — by authors Jack Gantos and Dan Gutman
• Mrs. Glatt shared other books by Gantos and Gutman and other short story books, too
• Guys learned about podcasting and the different jobs that need to be done to create and publish a successful podcast
• Sample podcasts: Bloomington Public Library, Radio WillowWeb
• Jobs: Host, Booktalkers, Music Selector, Sound Editor

Here’s what’s coming up:

• Guys should fill out job application forms and get them to Mrs. Glatt by Friday
• Podcast Job Application: Host
• Podcast Job Application: Booktalker
• Podcast Job Application: Music Selector
• Podcast Job Application: Sound Editor
• Guys who met today will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 4 so we can dig deeper into podcasting and try out equipment
• Guys Read for the end of October is in the works–get ready for a guy guest speaker. More guys from study hall are welcome to attend.

If you’re a guy who attended, or a guy who didn’t, or not a guy at all, feel free to let us know what you think.

Tomorrow is the first Guys Read! Guys who signed up during study hall yesterday or today will come to the IMC after study hall attendance. See you then!

Mrs. Glatt

Coming soon to CJHS IMC and a study hall near you, Guys Read is a monthly program that gets 7th and 8th grade guys together to explore books for guys, hear guest speakers, create the Charger Guys Read podcast, etc.

Mrs. Glatt will visit study hall the week of September 18th to tell you more.