"One Book" advice

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ksteel

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 9:05 am

Guest

Hoping to get some advice on starting a "One Book" program at my school.
I've got the go-ahead from my principal and the funding from my PTO now all
I need is the title! I teach at a Pre-K to 8 school and I'm hoping (though
the hope is starting to dwindle) that there might be some titles that would
engage the entire school population. I've checked the internet for what
other programs are using but found most of the books are popular stories
most of our students have already read (like _Winn-Dixie_). My principal
suggested finding a book set at the sea-side, similar to the community the
kids live in (_Star in the Storm_?). Help! Opinions, advice, encouragement
needed!!!

Many thanks,
Karen

Becky Levine

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 12:05 pm

Guest

Karen,

For those of us who haven't heard of it, can you give us a bit more info on
this program? From your question, it sounds pretty cool--my son's school is
K through 6; I'm trying to imagine a book everyone could get into.

I'm also kind of turning into the "book person" at school, I think, so it'd
be fun to look into this. I know its my bias, and I know all the math focus
is really needed, too, but I sometimes think the reading gets pushed aside a
bit! :)

Becky
"ksteel" <ksteel@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:bY6Oc.10614$oE1.1092809@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...

Quote:

Hoping to get some advice on starting a "One Book" program at my school.
I've got the go-ahead from my principal and the funding from my PTO now
all
I need is the title! I teach at a Pre-K to 8 school and I'm hoping
(though
the hope is starting to dwindle) that there might be some titles that
would
engage the entire school population. I've checked the internet for what
other programs are using but found most of the books are popular stories
most of our students have already read (like _Winn-Dixie_). My principal
suggested finding a book set at the sea-side, similar to the community the
kids live in (_Star in the Storm_?). Help! Opinions, advice,
encouragement
needed!!!

Many thanks,
Karen

H Schinske

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 12:05 pm

Guest

Quote:

"ksteel" <ksteel@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:bY6Oc.10614$oE1.1092809@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...
Hoping to get some advice on starting a "One Book" program at my school.
I've got the go-ahead from my principal and the funding from my PTO now
all
I need is the title! I teach at a Pre-K to 8 school and I'm hoping
(though
the hope is starting to dwindle) that there might be some titles that
would
engage the entire school population. I've checked the internet for what
other programs are using but found most of the books are popular stories
most of our students have already read (like _Winn-Dixie_). My principal
suggested finding a book set at the sea-side, similar to the community the
kids live in (_Star in the Storm_?). Help! Opinions, advice,
encouragement
needed!!!

Many thanks,
Karen

What about a high-level picture book? Something like _Hattie and the Wild
Waves_ by Barbara Cooney? (That's the first one I can think of that is complex
enough for the older kids, deals with the seashore, etc. It may be a little
too, um, genteel to appeal to such a wide audience, though.)

--Helen

ksteel

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:05 pm

Guest

Quote:

For those of us who haven't heard of it, can you give us a bit more info
on
this program? From your question, it sounds pretty cool--my son's school
is
K through 6; I'm trying to imagine a book everyone could get into.

I'm also kind of turning into the "book person" at school, I think, so
it'd
be fun to look into this. I know its my bias, and I know all the math
focus
is really needed, too, but I sometimes think the reading gets pushed aside
a
bit! Smile

Generally, a "One Book" program involves selecting a "quality" work of
adult/children's literature and inviting the community to read and share in
the work together through discussions and special activities. On a school
level, it invites parents and children to share a book together. Usually,
discussion questions are sent home for families to talk over after reading.
In school special activities are planned to add to the experience.
Sometimes there's a "family night" where some type of activity related to
the book is done after school hours.

The ALA has kit for organizing a One Book program but its $175 price tag is
too steep for my budget. I'm not worried about organizing the discussions
and activities. But since this is the first time we're doing this I'm
afraid if I pick the wrong book it could be the last.

Karen

Allison Williams

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 5:05 pm

Guest

St. Anne's-Belfield in Charlottesville, VA did Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by
D.B. Johnson, a picture book based on an incident in the life of Henry David
Thoreau. All students grades 3-12 plus all faculty and a visiting contingent
of school librarians (of which I was one) participated in small group
discussions. Each group contained a random selection of students of all
grades and adults. The author was there for the day and made it a really
memorable experience. Since the range of your students is younger I think
you could easily include K-8 without diluting the quality of discussion.

Allison Williams
Librarian
Collegiate School
Richmond, VA

On 7/29/04 9:28 AM, in article
bY6Oc.10614$oE1.1092809@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net, "ksteel"
<ksteel@optonline.net> wrote:

Quote:

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