These activities included biography party and a getting to know you poem, among others. They feel that these activities were a success. One teacher, however, had a problem of switching the children to a different genre.

Campbell, K. (1998). Face to Face: Kids warm up to biographies. Christian Science Monitor, 90, 140. pB8
Campbell writes that biographies are becoming more popular at the secondary level then they had previously been. Barbara O'Connor, an author, believes that students should start reading biographies at the grade four level. She says that this is not only because they show children that they have normal lives, and sometimes can overcome obstacles along the way, but they also show the students that they can look at the world and perhaps see a difference in it as a result of one person that they may have read about. Most importantly, it was noted that many the fourth grade students are looking for role models other than parents, and people in their communities. Campbell believes that biographies can give this to them. Campbell discovered that during this biography boom, many of the new ones are focusing on women and minorities, which were not previously popular.

Cline, Z., Reichelderfer, M. A. (2001). Teaching Ideas: Reading Parties: Helping Families Share the Joy of Reading. Reading Teacher, 55, 3. 236-40
This program was created by the Even Start Program, who recognize that parents play an important role in their children's success in school. She notes that many parents cannot help their children because they themselves do not have the skills needed to help the children. The Reading Party consists of four parts: an icebreaker, a choral reading, a parenting session and a closing activity. Parents, even if they do not speak English well, are encouraged to read aloud to the group. Also, when they answer questions or share concerns, the parent receives educational supplies for their children, because some of the attendees are from low income families. Cline and Reichelderfer see these parties as a success, because they are helping both the parents and the children at the same time. The main point is that the parties conform to the needs of the community. One reason for the success of the program is that the parents do not see receiving educational supplies as a handout, but it is re enforced that they have earned it through the various activities.