ORANGE TOWNSHIP – Students at Mapleton Elementary School traveled around the world Thursday through activities tasking them to use their reading skills.
As part of literacy week, the school hosted a family literacy night open to pre-kindergarten through fifth graders with the goal to get students excited about reading, said Cassie Swanson, the district’s 5 through 12 literacy coach.
The night featured seven literacy activities, corresponding to each of the seven continents.
In South America, for example, students went on an expedition using Google Earth.
Third grader Riley Curtis and first grader Memphis Curtis read through directions to locate the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, zooming in to view the structure as if they were standing on the street. Fourth grader Clayton Smith, sitting nearby, favored the bird’s eye view.
Students went on to read recipes in order to make a trail mix in Asia, visit the book fair in Africa, listen to a read-aloud in North America, complete a book walk in Antarctica, make koala bookmarks in Australia, and build famous structures, such as the Eiffel Tower, in Europe.
After initially checking in at the “arrivals table,” students were given a passport that allowed them to visit each continent. They received a stamp on their passport at each continent, and before leaving for the night, they reported to the “departures table” to show their stamped passport for a prize.
Students also checked out books through Ashland Public Library’s bookmobile.
The library’s community engagement coordinator Emily King and associate Mary Meixner shared information about the library’s summer reading program, which begins June 6.
The program has a new addition this year — an app — where participants can log their reading minutes to earn rewards.
“It’s like a fitbit tracker but for books,” King said.
The summer reading program is not solely for school-age children. It is open to all ages, youth to adults.
Mapleton’s literacy night was free, and roughly 80 students and their families registered.
Fitting the theme, elementary principal Mandy Charnigo served as “pilot” for the evening, with “flight attendants” Shelby Ortiz (district literacy coordinator), Cassie Newcomer (pre-kindergarten to sixth grade literacy coach), Swanson (5-12 literacy coach), Jenny Brown (Title reading teacher), and Jamie VanHorn (Title reading teacher).
Other activities during literacy week included a read-a-thon and scholastic book fair.
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