FULTON — Students at Fulton Junior High brought home their very own copy of Jason Reynolds’ book “Ghost” during the first week of October and began reading it with their families.
Over the next three months, students and families will read the book together at home while celebrating and exploring the novel at school.
The project is part of a unique national family literacy program called One School, One Book by the nonprofit Read to Them. The campaign is designed to strengthen the educational link between home and school. Parents of younger students may already be familiar with the program since Fulton Elementary Schools participated with the book “Nim’s Island” last spring.
“Reading a common book together is a great way to unite a school community and increase parent involvement,” said Read to Them program director Bruce Coffey. “Reading aloud at home enables students to come to school ready to read and succeed – in school and in life.”
Families can read and discuss the book at home. At school, reading aloud will take place during the scheduled WIN time. Engaging book-related activities will take place throughout the building from October until the holiday recess.
Activities that support the book range from discussion questions in ELA to track-related geometry questions in math and even breathing exercises in science – to name a few. Weekly quizzes will be held in the library and building administrators will share their personal experiences related to the novel. The book also supports district-wide literacy and social-emotional learning initiatives.
One School, One Book is the flagship program of Read to Them, a national nonprofit organization based in Richmond, Virginia. The organization’s mission is to create a culture of literacy in every home.
“The secret sauce of family literacy is creating a symbiosis between home and school,” Coffey said. “When students see their book being read, shared, and discussed at home and at school, they are surrounded by the culture of literacy.”
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