[LM_NET] SHARE: One School/One Book

["Culkin, Eileen" <eculkin@INTERLAKES.ORG>]

Hi, folks, 

I would like to take a minute to share my experiences with One School/
One Book and its culmination with the books' author visit on Friday.  I
did a lot of searching about this kind of a program and I got the sense
that others have as well, I didn't find too much in any one location so
I just kind of winged it.  Let me tell you, it was a load of work but so
well worth it that I can't wait for next year...did I say that? 

 We read Who Will Tell My Brother? by Marlene Carvell.  As we are
evolving our past Diversity Day into a Social Responsibility theme for
the year, this book with its many themes of tolerance, identity,
tradition and more was a perfect choice to be read by all students and
staff in grades 7-12.  We were able to get funding for so many copies
with generous help from our PTO and our own book budget and a good
discount from a local bookseller. We have hosted an author visit for the
past 5 years but this year's program allowed us to connect it to our
goals of literacy and teaching reading and writing across the
curriculum.  We scheduled so that students and teachers together read 50
pages of the book in their "A" block class on Mon., 50 pgs. In "B block
on Tues., 50 pgs. In "C" block on Wed., with discussion in their "D"
block on Thurs. allowing for contact and discourse with 4 different
teachers and groups of peers throughout the week. The opportunity to
share diverse and enthusiastic opinions and ideas was so enlivening. The
author, Marlene Carvell, visited and did 3 presentations on Friday.  She
was delighted that every student and staff member had read her book and
she generously and patiently sat and signed books for any and all who
requested.  She was a wonderful presenter who is also a high school
English teacher so connected really well with our students.  The
planning and the week-long efforts were not without problems and snags
along the way (getting teachers to buy in and give up {or see this as}
precious instructional time was not always pretty, but that's another
story.  Clearly there was much more involved and if you're interested
I'd be happy to go on and on if you are planning such an endeavor at
your school. This tired but happy librarian is now off to work on the
stuff that piled up last week. I just wanted to let you know about this
very successful attempt, thanks for all your help along the way!!!  EC

Eileen Culkin, Librarian
Inter-Lakes Jr. Sr. High School
Meredith, NH
"I really didn't realize the librarians were, you know, such a dangerous
group. They are subversive. You think they're just sitting there at the
desk, all quiet and everything. They're like plotting the revolution,
man. I wouldn't mess with them." Michael Moore

 


--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------