One Book, One School

One Book, One School is a program where every family at school receives the same book and every family reads this book at home together. Our school on February 14th started reading The Trumpet of the Swan. Every family at school was given a copy of this book and a reading schedule to follow. Each night we had to read one chapter or sometimes two chapters. Usually, you spent about 15 minutes per night reading. This program was designed to encourage reading, but also to encourage family time. We completed the book last Wednesday.

Each morning at school, the principal would ask a trivia question about the chapter that was read the night before at home. Each student would receive a ticket to write down the answer on and at the end of the day a winner would be drawn from the correct answers. The reading of the book encouraged classroom discussions, lunchroom discussions, and family discussions about the book and what was going to happen next. The students at school were all buzzing about the book.

At our home, I would read the chapter at the supper table while everyone was eating. They would listen while I read and then we would discuss the chapter. The book was enjoyed by our family. Ashlin even got her picture in the newspaper for an article about the whole school reading this book. I have decided that for Lent we will start reading another book because I thought it was a good family activity. Next year, the school is hoping to read two books - one in the fall and one in the winter. This was a great program!

Take care,
Michelle