Did you know that one of Benton Community’s district goals is around students making growth in the area of literacy? Literacy is a goal area required for all elementary schools throughout Iowa. Read Across America is another opportunity for Benton students to engage in a literacy opportunity. Read Across America was launched in 1998 by the National Education Association (NEA) and guided by a committee of educators. Every year students across the US participate in the nation’s largest celebration of reading.
Atkins and Keystone Elementary students and staff participated in “One School, One Book.” Students at Keystone gathered in groups to read Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp. The story tells of a young girl and her struggle to read in front of her class until she has the opportunity to share stories with an unlikely friend. Some of the struggles and feelings she experiences hold a connection to many students. Students were able to get together in groups of mixed ages and read the book together while they enjoyed a snack.
Each student in Atkins and Keystone Elementary buildings was given a copy of this book to take home. Because of the literacy connection supported on Read Across America Day, the purchase of these books has been supported by grant funds that Benton received related to Iowa’s Early Literacy Implementation law. This is the same grant that allowed our students to take home a copy of Snowmen at Night which was the literacy connection made during the winter program.
