Appoquinimink looks to create new class of book lovers
By EDWARD L. KENNEY - The News Journal
As summer approaches, people start looking for something fun to read at the beach or by the pool.
This summer, Appoquinimink School District leaders have made matters easier by not only assigning a specific book for students to read but encouraging their parents and their school's staff to read it as well.
The reading initiative aimed at middle and high schools districtwide is called One School, One Book. The idea was started by a librarian in Seattle about a decade ago and has spread to communities across the country as a way to promote reading and create a sense of community.
Appoquinimink launched One School, One Book at the end of the school year, including holding discussions on things to look for in the reading of the book.
"We're going to have a common frame of reference when we enter the [new school] year," district spokeswoman Lilian Miles said. "It's a common touchstone we can all talk about."
Discussions and activities on the assigned book will be held all next year in multiple subject areas, she said.
"I think it'll be good for the culture of the building," said Matt Burrows, principal at Middletown's Redding Middle School, where students and staff voted from a short list what they wanted to read. "Kids can see that what they're reading isn't only important for English class, but it's important for all other classes."
The initiative assigns a single book by school: "Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens" by Sean Covey to Appoquinimink High School, "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar to Redding Middle School and "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time" by Greg Mortenson to Middletown High and Meredith and Waters middle schools.
Lara Crowley, reading specialist for the Appoquinimink School District, said she was contacted by teachers who had heard about the initiative being done elsewhere and wondered if it could be tried here.
"We decided it was a good way to build community within our schools," she said. "That's why we have the children in all these buildings and the staff reading these books. We're hoping the parents will get involved as well.
"Hopefully, it will build and generate excitement," Crowley said. "Even people who didn't read the book, we're hoping they'll pick it up and say, 'Hey, what's everybody talking about?' "
Of course, she hopes the students will not limit themselves to just the one book, but that it will stimulate other reading as well.
"We would always hope that they would read other books on their own, but they're not required to do that as another reading assignment," Crowley said.
The plan is to continue the initiative and perhaps expand upon it, she said.
Source: Reprint Courtesy of The News Journal
