YEAR 3
One Book, Two Schools
YEAR 2 (2022-23)
YEAR 1 (2021-22)
One School Year. A Room to Talk.
In the 2021-22 school year, our community of readers extended beyond Ridgefield for our first year of "One Book, Two Schools." SRMS students read Jacqueline Woodson’s book Harbor Me and connected for discussion with students at Rogers Park Middle School in Danbury. Students, teachers and librarians met periodically at each school to discuss the book, and virtually between schools every other month. Upon completion of the book in the spring of 2022, students from both schools visited one another. According to our principal Tim Salem, “Sharing insights between districts allows our students to broaden their perspectives and develop empathy and understanding for others. Books become the vehicle for building those connections.” A handful of library media specialists across Connecticut shadowed our effort so as to replicate this idea elsewhere in the state.
Global Read Aloud 2020
Anti-racism begins with action @SRMS!
In the context of the disturbing divisiveness that was occurring in the world and most especially over the summer of 2020 (George Floyd's murder, violent protests, Covid) we sent an invitation to the community: Anti-racism begins with action! We invite you to join us in Global Read Aloud 2020, a 10-year global reading initiative created by teacher/author/speaker Pernille Ripp. Traditionally, teachers read aloud from chosen books (at right) over a six week period and connect with other classrooms worldwide however they'd like.
Why are we doing this? Students need to see how we can come together as a community, centered around a book, and the importance of our reading lives. The YA and middle grade books chosen for this year's event focus on the history of marginalized communities, especially Asian and African Americans.
Click the video at right to see our read aloud in action.
Anti-racist initiatives begin with action. This is one small step.
What was Involved: Teachers and community members volunteered to record themselves reading aloud from either Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park or Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. It was heartening to see how many people stepped forward to participate, including teachers, school counselors, members of our senior center, our superintendents, board of education members, and even our first selectman.
Each week’s read-alouds were shared from the Library Learning Commons Google Classroom to student Learning Labs for viewing during SSR (Silent Sustained Reading) time. Sixth and seventh-grade classes listened to Prairie Lotus while eighth-grade classes listened to Stamped. Some watched as a whole class. Discussions, lunch bunch groups, and conversations were managed through the library’s Google Classroom and “Ask a Librarian” link (during school hours.) Additional information, including live virtual author events, were posted on this page.
GRA 2020 YA Choice: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi.
Educator Guide created by Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul can be found here.
GRA YA Facebook Group (for class connections)
GRA 2020 Middle School Choice: Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park.
Educator Guide can be found here.
GRA Middle School Facebook Group (for class connections)
A spring 2021 virtual author visit with Linda Sue Park, hosted by GRA, was the focus of a sixth grade culture lesson. She shared photos from her childhood and images that tested assumptions. "The single story of pioneers is incomplete. Who else was there?" said Park.
We invite you to join the discussion! Borrow a copy of the book/s and read along, ask your child over dinner about them, or view the live author events. To follow along on our journey, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or TikTok @SRMSLLC.
Sincerely,
Janine Johnson Christie Judge Emily Shiller
Library Media Specialist Literacy Specialist Asst Librarian
Want to listen along? Access the videos from our Library Learning Commons Google Classroom.
Code: pabn3wb
Recommended books in our collection that "elevate the voices of young activists, inspire calls to action, and explain complex issues such as racism, sexism, environmentalism, and immigration."*
Click above to access these titles in ebook or audiobook format from your SRMS LLC Sora account
