This month beginning on October 3rd the elementary schools of the Ponca City Public School District 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 – Beverly Cleary’s The Mouse and the Motorcycle – 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.
Reading aloud at home is valuable because it better prepares your child to be an effective reader, 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.
Your child will receive a copy of The Mouse and the Motorcycle at a special assembly introducing the program and the book. Along with the book, you will receive a reading schedule so that you can keep up at home. Generally, you 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. 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, everyone will be talking about The Mouse and the Motorcycle!
This is the 3rd year the Ponca City Public Schools have participated in this unique reading initiatives. Some of the books we have read in the past include: The World According to Humphrey, The Trumpet and the Swan, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. We have selected a title that can be followed, understood, and enjoyed by younger students, but will still captivate and stimulate older children. We are very excited to kick off this reading initiative that can involve the entire community.
I know that you’ll enjoy this special reading time with your children. I hope to talk students, parents, and community members sometime this month about Ralph and Keith and the adventures that ensue around a tiny motorcycle. “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.
Dr. David Pennington/Superintendent Ponca City Public Schools
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