one school, one book

Each year, Placer Academy Charter students all read the same book.  According to Read to Them, "When an entire school reads the same book, the buzz and excitement around the book augments these benefits. Reading a book together brings the added joy of building and expanding a sense of community among students, parents, teachers, and staff – and beyond."

Studies have shown that reading aloud to students boosts vocabulary, increases students' ability to listen, supports positivity and creates a shared experience for all involved.  Our One School One Book program culminates in a celebration where all students complete a project centered around some aspect of the literature.  These have included service projects, performances, reports, and experiments.  We've been able to have several authors come for a visit and give wonderful presentations, as well as autograph books for the students.

At the end of the community building event, all students are given the novel for that year.  Some of the titles have included:  The One and Only Ivan, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and A Boy Called Bat. 

"One  of the greatest gifts adults can give - to their offspring and their society - is to read to children."
Carl Sagan