Creating a Community of Readers through an Inclusive All-School Book-of-the-Month Program

Content leaders will share the design of a school-wide book-of-the-month program that nurtures a culture of reading and elevates critical social conversations through text to the benefit of the entire school community. The presenters will then explore how their framework can be adapted to suit the mission or priorities of any school, including the prioritization of SEL (Social and Emotional Learning), DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), or other goals. Presenters will model a sample book discussion and share prompts for both an early elementary and a middle school level to demonstrate how the same picture book can spark inquiry, conversation, and growth across all learning stages. Finally, the presenters will guide participants in a collaborative brainstorming session to identify themes, including offering specific picture book suggestions that participants might use in their own communities. The conversation will include resources for funding a school-wide program. Participants will leave the session with a clear understanding of how a picture book-of-the-month program will serve their whole student population and support their community, the skills to put such a program into action immediately, and an outline to support their planning process and the implementation of a similar year-long program.