Bucyrus Literacy Corner
Volume III, Issue 4, April 2nd, 2024
LOCAL LITERACY NEWS:
The Bucyrus district's Family Book Club is underway. The group held their first meeting on January 23rd. The participating families (made up of parents and students) met to discuss Carl Hiassen's Hoot. The story is set in Florida and follows the adventures of Roy Eberhardt and two of his friends as they face life's challenges.
The book club members divided the novel into three sections. Using the first seven chapters, the group explored characterization. Next, they discussed which characters they related to best and which ones they rooted for in the story. The members ended the first session by making predictions about what would happen over the next several chapters.
Unfortunately, the middle session had to be canceled due to a scheduling conflict. The group is in the process of scheduling the next session where they will explore how the plot unfolded and the characters adapted.
The book will be a featured part of the next family literacy night, and it is hoped that the family book club idea will continue into the 2024-25 school year and beyond.
If you would like to participate in a future book club or share your ideas for future book club reading selections, contact Roxanne Jones or Karolyn Rebon.
STATE AND NATIONAL LITERACY NEWS:
Why the Science of Reading is Important
Reading unlocks the door for all future learning and provides a lifetime of opportunities. Strong literacy skills are necessary for all Ohioans, starting with the very youngest of learners and continuing into the lives of students after high school, including postsecondary education, immediate entry into the workforce, military service or other types of career development.
As described in the Kindergarten through Grade 4 Literacy Report for 2021-2022, 40% of Ohio's third graders are not reading proficiently. Governor DeWine has called for a renewed state of how we teach reading in Ohio. It is time to critically examine what is working and what is not working and shift to literacy teaching practices that meet the needs of all learners.
In addition, Governor DeWine signed an Executive Order that directs the Governor’s Children’s Initiative to coordinate with interested parties to develop a program that will recognize schools that are demonstrating strong implementation of best instructional practices aligned to the science of reading and where students are making significant progress in reading. This recognition process will begin this fall.
Retrieved from the Ohio Department of Education website on 2/2/24
(Click below to access the chosen core curriculum and instructional materials list.)