StoryWalk! Make the pages come to life! Reading is without a doubt the foundation and passion that makes Royall royal. We are constantly searching for innovative ideas as well as new books to gain and hold the attention of our Royall readers. This year some of our students’ favorite books have been selected to create StoryWalks and make the pages come to life for our students. Our Librarian, Marianne Gaskins and Literacy Coach, Leah Barley prepared Royall’s first StoryWalk. Mrs. Gaskins stated, “ I had a vision for the first StoryWalk and it just all came together.” During the month of October, students in all kindergarten and first grade classes were invited to come outside to experience the story Froggy’s Halloween. After being paired with a 6th grade helper, groups of 2- 3 students read the story and then acted out the event on the page. After each page, students leaped across the lawn on lily pads and walked to the next page. The pages came to life as students tried on various Halloween costumes and vote for their favorite costume. The story concluded with all readers being given a special bag of Froggy’s favorite treat, chocolate covered flies (raisins). Kindergarten teacher, Neil Anderson said her students loved interacting with each other, being mentored by older students, and walking through the story. A student in her class, Harleigh said, "What I liked best about Froggy's Halloween StoryWalk was trying on the cape and the underwear." First grade teacher Ms. Diamond Palmer stated, “The story walk experience was a true adventure for my class. It brought a favorite character, Froggy, to life and allowed each student to walk in that role as the character. Watching them interact with the book and other students was priceless. I found they gained more from the story walk than a simple read aloud. Students were actively reading the book, acting out parts and working together towards a common goal. I am looking forward to the next StoryWalk. With the first StoryWalk a success, a second StoryWalk is underway and will continue throughout the month of December. Snowmen at Christmas is the story selection this time. We have expanded the StoryWalk to include kindergarten, first, second and our enhanced learners. Once again 2-3 students will be paired with 6th grader readers/helpers. The students will hear the story and then be asked to complete various activities. Some of these activities will include trying on a hat trimmed with holly, trying to whistle and jingling bells. Students will peek through a lit window, pretend to ice skate and sing Christmas carols. To conclude the book they will be treated with snowman cocoa and a candy cane just like the snowmen enjoy eating in the book. According to Principal Julie Smith, the story walk activity is just another way that our students have fun and participate in the joy of reading.
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