DRIVING QUESTION:

How will we design and install a Storywalk® that encourages children to read in our school’s neighbourhood?

Project Overview:

A Storywalk®, as the name implies, allows you to walk around a path while reading a story along the way. The pages of a picture book are separated and each page is placed in a glass case or structure (protected from the weather) around a walking path. As you walk along, you read each page of the story every hundred feet or so. The story changes every month.
Initially this project was to be done in collaboration with the grade 11/12 woodworking class at ACSS, but due to Covid and the quarter system, that class has already met for the year. Feeling that this project needed to go ahead as a form of encouragement for ACS students and our neighbours, a team of ACS Grandpas (all professional woodworkers) built the reading stations.
They built 18 reading stations along the perimeter of the back playground, along the fence, beginning at the walkway (north) and ending by the little playground (south). Once a month, grade level library classes will be read two pre-selected stories and will vote on their favourite. The winning title will be the next story for the Storywalk®. Students created flyers in their classrooms to distribute that were distributed to neighbours advertising the Storywalk®. Students wrote thank you notes in class to thank the Storywalk® builders.
When Storywalk® was complete, we celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Our principal videotaped the event so that it could be shared on Grandfriend’s Day. There was an opportunity for photos and an article on the Storywalk® was submitted to the local paper.

“Initially the challenge was that we couldn’t get the woodworking class to create the reading stations. The celebration was that the Grandpas stepped up and created the Storywalk® stations, donating their time and resources.
It was disappointing that we couldn’t have a bigger ribbon-cutting ceremony/celebration due to Covid-19 restrictions.”

Linda Groot & Kerry Schwenneker: ACS Librarians & Project Designers

Product/Presentation:

  • StoryWalk®

How has this engaged students in ACS’ mission and vision?

Engaging Minds: By developing a love for story and sharing it with others and by selecting “good” literature. The Protocol team also saw this project as beneficial to students, from literacy to P.E. stations, to family time before and after school and on weekends.

Nurturing Hearts: By recognizing a need within our own community (ACS) and neighbours to create a positive activity to share during difficult times.

Shaping God’s World: StoryWalk® shapes God’s world by:

  • Selecting good literature (and definition of good literature).
  • Giving others the opportunity to read and learn.
  • Making our neighbourhood a better place to live.
  • An opportunity to witness through book selection (i.e. The Christmas Story).
  • Selecting “good literature” to share with all of ACES and community.
  • Creating flyers for community.
  • Creating thank you cards.
  • Students helping with installation and monthly story swaps.

How has this learning experience served or connected to our community?

  • Sharing good literature
  • Making the neighbourhood a better place to live
  • Opportunity to witness through book selection
  • Inviting neighbours to come over and share our resources

Extension options for this project include:

  • Creating flyers for the community
  • Creating thank you cards
  • Students helping install the monthly story swaps

“Storywalk® benefits ALL students at ACES, including preschool. Students are very excited to be a part of the Storywalk® and to share with with others. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Maggie P. came up and thanked the Grandpas for building the Storywalk®. She said, “Thank you for building this beautiful Storywalk®. It will always be a part of my heart.”

Student Reflection

SAMPLE PROJECT FILES:

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