Island adventure-themed Literacy Night at Nibley Elementary brings Nim’s Island to life for students
Each year, Nibley Elementary students participate in the One Book, One School program which encourages students, their families, and staff to all read the same book. This program helps to build a sense of community within the school. Nibley Elementary’s chosen book for this year was Nim’s Island.
After completing reading the assigned book for the One Book, One School program, Nibley Elementary holds a Literacy Night where families are invited to come and enjoy a variety of activities at the school. On March 4th, with the library and gym decked out in island-themed decorations, parents and students came to Literacy Night and enjoyed a variety of activities — including interacting with live animals. Zootah and families provided birds, a bearded dragon, a turtle, and a python.
Students also had the unique opportunity to Skype with Wendy Orr, the author of Nim’s Island. Orr, all the way from Australia, spoke with students and answered questions about why she wrote the book, sharing fun facts, including how she came up with names of the characters.
Sandy Curtis, a third-grade teacher, believes that having the entire student body and their families reading one book together not only helps to strengthen their school community but also helps children develop a love for reading. “As they read together, it springboards discussions, connection, and soon a joy for reading,” Curtis explained. “One simple book can lead to new doorways of adventures that only books can bring. It all begins with opening the pages of a book-where anything can happen. The same book in every home may just be that one book that begins a personal bookshelf of books or ignites a path to visiting a library to check out more. “
Many CCSD elementary schools hold similar Literacy Weeks/Nights at their school. Call your child’s school for more information.