Ponca City public schools wraps up One Book, One District

December 19, 2013 12:00 am

The One Book, One District initiative consisted of students, parents, grandparents, PIE partners, PCPS faculty and community members participating in a book study while reading the book The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White

This initiative wrapped up on Dec. 5.

All kindergarten-fifth grade students in six of our elementary schools have been reading a chapter with family members each night since the initiative kick-off in November.

Each day students have also participated in classroom and whole-school activities that tie to the book and the comprehension of this classic.

Each school planned culminating events upon the completion of the reading of this book.

Such as, school-wide assemblies and Literacy Nights open to the whole family.

Below are some quotes from students, teachers, faculty and parents about the book and the positive impact the initiative had on the school community.

Woodlands

Riley: “I liked the part where he met Serena after the storm and waited for her to get up before talking to her.”

Brynley: “I liked the part where they were trying to figure out what to do about Louis’ voice, but his dad got him a trumpet.”

Carter:“Part of the book is sad because Louis’ father, the cob, thinks he’s dying.”

Jacob: “I liked the part where Louis had to convince the zookeeper not to clip Serena’s wings.”

Union

Cadence Hays – 4th grade: “My favorite part was when Louis learned to write.”

Gracyn Moore – 2nd grade: “I liked it when Louis untied Sam’s shoestring.”

Mrs. Choate’s 2nd grade class: “Our favorite part of the story is when Louis saves Serena from getting her wings clipped. We also really like when Louis pulled on Sam’s shoelaces.”

Dr. Resler: “I loved the questions Sam asked himself before he went to sleep. They were great thinking questions. I also really liked the eloquent way that Cygnus, Louis’ father spoke. He used great words like devoted, splendid, vain, vile and vigilant.”


Garfield

Jaycee Appleman- 5th grade: “The Trumpet of the Swan was a superb book! I loved the ending the most! I loved the amazing vocabulary words in the book! My absolute favorite part was when he found Serena. I also admire the father for stealing the trumpet. I loved reading it with my family.”

Kamauri 5th Grade: “I like The Trumpet of the Swan because I enjoy being with family. I like the part where Louis saw Serena. Also, I like the part where the cob broke into the store and stole the trumpet. It was a good book and I will read it again.”

Trevor-2nd Grade: “I liked the part when Louis spent the night at the hotel.”

Devin-2nd Grade: “Thank you for the book because it brought my family together. My family liked reading the book with me.”

Abby-5th Grade: “I loved reading The Trumpet of the Swan. My favorite part of the book was how Louis tried to earn the money back because his dad stole the trumpet. Instead of just keeping it, he tried to do the right thing by paying for it. I also liked it because I got to read the book with my family.”


Trout

At Math Night, a grandmother from Trout expressed her support of the initiative and thanked the school for allowing her to be involved in her grandson’s reading.

During the week of Thanksgiving Trout offered a challenge to the students.

They could answer the question posed for one chance in the drawing or they could challenge a teacher for a chance to enter the drawing twice (only if the teacher knew the correct answer).

This was a great deal of fun.

Jared Fisher, the father of Lindy Fisher, spotted four trumpet swans in his field near Fairfax.

They have been there for a week.

Jared took a picture, but didn’t spot any of the swans with a slate and trumpet hanging from their necks. Too bad!

Lincoln

Keiara Davis – 1st grade: “I liked that Louis had to make money to make things right for his dad.”

Natalie Caudill – 3rd grade:“I like reading a chapter book with my grandma, and Louis and Serena were interesting.”

Coby Allensworth – 4th grade: “It was cool to read a chapter book with the whole school because everyone was reading together.”


Liberty

Wren Fields- Mrs. Reece/Kindergarten:“I loved the part about the baby swans.”

Wren was our winner of a Brace Books gift card for answering questions each morning about the reading.

“I can’t wait to go with my mom or dad to get a new book and spend my gift card.”

Erika Pizzuto- Mrs. Waters/3rd Grade: “E.B. White did a great job in writing the story.”

Tammy Mead- 2nd Grade Teacher:“I liked that reading the book involved the school and community. I especially liked the message portrayed by the Swan in the book, that school is important and a privilege.”


District Employees

Teri Vogele/Associate Curriculum Director of Elementary: “My favorite part of the book had to be when the cob (Louis’ dad) broke into the music store in Billings, Montana to steal the trumpet for Louis. I thought this was a wonderful illustration of a parent’s love.”

Kirk Hollis/District Therapist: “I felt like the book promoted a lot of positive messages or values such as honesty, loyalty, and perseverance. I also thought the author wrote the book in such a way that children could grasp those values as they read the book with family.”

Anna Scott/4th grade teacher: “We enjoyed reading this book together as a family. Even my 4 year old daughter looked forward to reading a chapter from the book each night.”