One Book 2017

Our elementary school's celebrated their fourth annual One Book, One Community event on March 2nd. Our goal with the One Book, One Community program is to promote the benefits and joy of reading through a community experience.

Each student received a copy of Hailstones and Halibut Bones by Mary O'Neil. "Bright drawings accompany poetry which discusses the colors of the spectrum encouraging kids to think about how colors are distributed in the natural and human worlds." (Midwest Book Review). Originally published in 1961, this book is a true gem that has become a modern classic, offering "adventures in poetry and color." Poetry, in its own right, helps to build community and learn about ourselves and each other.

We had a full day of events, immersing the students in the book and many book-related learning experiences intended to promote poetry and the exploration of the many roles color plays in our lives. Students engaged in reading the poems in a variety of ways, writing poems and illustrating their visualizations. This book is worth reading again and again, for each time you will gain a deeper understanding of the poems and the details in the elaborate illustrations.

Parents are invited to participate in this program by reading the book together as a family. Reading aloud is one of the most important activities that parents can do with their children; it develops many important literacy skills, expands vocabulary, and provides a model of fluent, expressive reading. Poetry, in particular, provides an opportunity to have fun with rhyme and rhythm, sounds and beats. Included in this packet, are discussion questions, ways to make poetry fun and other resources you may find helpful to engage in this book as a family.

Packet of Information

What a wonderful day it was!