This week has been full of many things: research projects, new books, technology, and such. And then came the announcement: James Patterson is donating $1.25 million to public school libraries!
Immediately I knew what project I wanted to present to Mr. Patterson: One School, One Book. With a projected student population of 1811 for next year, and well over 100 staff members, it would take a very large grant to do this type of project. Students and staff are voting on their top pick for a book now, and next week the application will be sent in. Then...fingers crossed!
What is One School, One Book?
It's where everyone reads the same book.That's all.
Okay, it's a bit more than that. It's where everyone reads the same book and then discusses it. Thinks about it. Talks about it some more. There are no tests or projects, no grades. We will be having a lot of optional activities to encourage participation, SMART lunch discussion groups hosted by various staff members, twitter discussions, podcasts, PSA videos made by students about different concepts in the books. Why would we do this? What's the point? Literacy growth, a sense of community, encouraging reading for the sake of reading rather than for grades are just a few reasons.
Now all we need to implement this wonderful project is to receive the grant from Mr. Patterson. Like the title said: Fingers crossed!
The polling is very close between 3 of the books with a lot of students and staff voting. Bedford Falls Book Fairs is working with us and the publishers to provide the almost 2000 books we would need at 50% off the list price! Now we just need to win the grant! Keep those fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck! :-)
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