Great Falls Fourth-Grade Teacher

School |
February 20, 2020

For the fifth year in a row, all Great Falls Elementary School students recently shared in a common read aloud known as One School, One Book. The program involves an entire school community, from kindergarten all the way up through the entire school staff, all for the love of reading.

Great Falls’ previous books have been “The One and Only Ivan,” by Katherine Applegate; “Because of Winn-Dixie,” by Kate DiCamillo; “Mr. Popper’s Penguins,” by Richard and Florence Atwater; and last year’s “Kenny and the Dragon,” by Tony DiTerlizzi.

This year, staff decided to switch it up a bit and tried One School, One Author and read books by DiCamillo. Grades K-2 read “Tales from Deckawoo Drive” and grades 3-5 read “The Tale of Despereaux.”

Photo credit Stacey Sawyer
Kindergarten teacher Amy Brassard read Kate DiCamillo’s book “Tales from Deckawoo Drive” to students as part
of Great Falls Elementary School’s One School, One Book program.

The author and book titles were a secret from students until the annual kick-off assembly. After the winter break, each student received his or her own copy of their grade-level book and their class read the book together, according to a shared schedule.

Weekly trivia questions and prizes helped to keep students excited, and Gorham’s superintendent, Heather Perry, and assistant superintendent, Dr. Chris Record, visited Great Falls to read parts of the story aloud to several classes.

One School, One Author will culminate this year in a Family Fun Night on Friday, February 28, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Excitement continues to build more each year as One School, One Book becomes part of Great Falls’ school traditions and something to look forward to each winter.

This project would not be possible without the help of community sponsors. Great Falls Elementary School would like to thank Gorham Savings Bank, Casco Federal Credit Union, Norway Savings Bank, the Gorham Rotary, Gorham House of Pizza, Moody’s Collision Center, cPort Credit Union, the Gorham Business Exchange, and a huge thank you to the biggest donor, the Gorham Lions Club.