Clearview Elementary School kicked off their One District One Book program last week by revealing this year’s book selection to students, Ralph S. Mouse by Beverly Cleary.

 

One District One Book is a yearly program designed to create a shared reading experience across an entire school community. The youngest member of each elementary school family in the district brings home the selected book for the family to read together during the month of February, which is ‘I Love to Read’ month. 

 

Each day in February students and their families will read one or more designated chapters of the book together, and in school students will be doing a variety of activities throughout the month to keep interest strong, from daily trivia to art projects. 

 

To go along with Ralph S. Mouse, students in art teacher Kathy Gerdts-Senger’s second through fifth grade classes have had the opportunity to work on nine different mouse art activities, from drawing and painting to puppets and sculptures. Students can choose which activities interest them the most.

 

“I like to draw because I feel it’s a good interest to get into and it’s a good way to express yourself,” said third-grader Peyton S., who was at the drawing station.

 

Third graders Kali N. and Zoe L. were making puppets.

 

“I wanted to make my brother a puppet because he always lets me play Lego Destination,” said Zoe. 

 

“I wanted to make a puppet to give to my mom for Valentine’s Day because she always gives me presents,” said Kali.

 

The One District One Book program was begun by Read to Them, a non-profit organization whose mission is to create a culture of literacy in every home. Children who are read to learn to read more easily and become better readers, and literacy skills provide the basis for a lifetime of learning. Last year District 742 students and their families read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.