One School, One Book

Dear Families,

Lower School of Trinity is about to take part in a special, community-wide shared reading event.   Our aim is to develop a Community of Readers in our Lower School.  Reading aloud and reading together is valuable because it helps students become motivated as readers, and it is fun.  Everyone - students, parents, teachers, administrators - will all be following along on the reading of text.  Every staff member and every student will receive a copy of the same book and we will all read it together at home starting August 28.  

This is a novel program in which students from kindergarten through fourth grade receive the same book.  Some of our students will follow the schedule and read independently.  If this is the case, it is important that these students only read what is scheduled each day.  They will certainly be interested and want to read on, but the anticipation will be a motivating factor for the nightly reading session.  Other students will need an adult to read to them.  This is okay.  Reading researchers and professionals recommend reading material out loud that is beyond a child’s own reading ability.  Even if your child is capable of reading independently, the benefit of an adult reading to them is great.  A title has been selected that can be followed, understood, and enjoyed by our Lower School students.  It will captivate and stimulate students of all ages.  One aim of this program is to develop a Community of Readers in our Lower School.  

Your child will receive a copy of the book at a special Lower School assembly introducing the program and the book on August 28.  Along with the book, you will also receive a reading schedule so that you and your child can stay on pace.  Generally, the reading will take about 15 minutes each night.

In school, the students will be challenged with questions to answer and/or talk about as everyone proceeds through the book.  Students will take great pride and interest in the story and the community-wide discussions that can take place.  It will be important to keep pace with the reading so that your child can be included.

We know you will enjoy this special reading time with your child.  Everyone in Lower School is excited about starting this program and beginning the discussions.  When an entire school reads a book, there’s plenty to talk about.  With your help we can have a successful program and build a Community of Readers at Trinity Lower School.

Happy Reading!