“Stuart Little” Will be the One Book, One District Project for Ponca City Public Schools
This month the Ponca City Public School elementary schools will be embarking on a special project, a district-wide book club called One Book, One District. Every family will receive a copy of the same book – E. B. White’s Stuart Little – and will be asked to read it together at home over the next few weeks. “I am personally asking you to make the time so that your family can participate in this special activity,” said Teri Vogele, Ponca City Public School Associate
Director of Elementary Curriculum. “Our first night of reading is scheduled for Monday, February 6, and we will wrap up out last chapter on Friday, February 24. This is the 3rd year the PCPS district has participated in this unique reading initiative. Some titles our elementary schools have read include: The Mouse and the Motorcycle, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and The Trumpet and the Swan.”
Vogele continued, “Reading aloud at home is valuable because it better prepares your child to be an effective reader, it helps develop and promote reading fluency, increase comprehension skills, and it is also a fun, worthwhile family activity. With the One Book, One District program, we aim to build a Community of Readers throughout our entire school district. Everyone – students, parents, teachers, even administrative staff – will literally all be on the same page at the same time!”
Students will receive a copy of Stuart Little at an assembly introducing the program and the book. Along with the book, they will receive a reading schedule in the form of a bookmark so that parents and students can keep up at home. A copy of the bookmark will also be posted on the district website at www.pcps.us. Generally, parents and students will be asked to read about 15 minutes each night.
“In school, your child will be invited to answer daily trivia questions to encourage and reward attentive listening,” said Vogele. “You will soon find that your child will take pride in knowing and anticipating the details of the story. In class, students will explore the book through activities and discussion. You will want to make sure your family keeps up so that your child can be included. Throughout the month of February, everyone will be talking about Stuart Little!”
One Book, One District is a novel program where children of all grade levels will all be listening to their parents read the same book. Teri Vogele explained, “Strange or daring as that may seem, it actually makes sound educational sense. Reading professionals recommend reading material out loud that is beyond a child’s own reading level. We also believe that you can and should continue reading chapter books with your older children, even when they are able to read by themselves. We have selected a title that can be followed, understood, and enjoyed by younger students, but will still captivate and stimulate older children.”
“I know that you’ll enjoy this special reading time with your children. I hope to talk with both you and your student sometime this month about Stuart, his family, and his adventures. When a whole district reads a book, there’s a lot to talk about. With your help, we can build a Community of Readers in our school district.”
Mary Ladd
Public Information Coordinator Ponca City Public Schools 580-352-4188
