Story by Sally Allen
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Clarksville Academy, a Pre-K through twelfth grade college preparatory school, hosted its third annual Living Literacy Day. Each year much planning and preparation goes into this school wide collaboration.
Lower, Intermediate and Upper students represent these wonderful books to be the focus of Literacy Day
This year’s book was chosen by a committee of teachers, Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree written by Robert Barry in 1969, is a delightful tale of Mr. Willowby and his perfect Christmas tree. The story imparts the importance of giving and re-purposing. Carol King, first grade teacher can’t think of a more fun way to get her students excited about reading, “I love seeing the children’s face as they watch the story come to life. This event helps to foster a love of experiencing the story when you read. From Pre-K to seniors, all levels of readers are involved in the story and can’t wait to see what they will experience next.”
The library was transformed into a scene from the book and the children were taken on a magical journey. Students were taken back in time to Mr. Willowby’s house, his town and the woods surrounding it. They will meet many new friends and experience the joy each of them have at receiving the special gift of a perfect Christmas tree. Classrooms also continued the literary journey with supporting lessons and hands on activities.
Throughout the day on Monday each of our students Pre-K thought twelfth grade had the opportunity to participate in this event. Older students are participating in the dramatic reading, experiencing the story in class, and helping in lower school classrooms with craft projects and interactive lessons and designing backdrops. Ahauve Orusa, a junior at CA enjoys this day as much as the younger students, “I love the fact that this literacy event, gives us upper school students, the opportunity to share a Christmas story and interact with the lower school children at our school. It will be a joy to watch their faces light up as we read the enjoyable story of Mr.Willowby’s Christmas Tree to them.”
The younger children will experience the story in each of their enrichments and classes throughout the day. They began their journey earlier this month in art, by creating handcrafted ornaments for the schools’ twelve foot Christmas tree. Each ornament symbolizes a part of the story. The lower school students get the most excited about the day, Bram Miller a first grader has anxiously awaited this event, “”When we had Polar Express day, it was like we were inside the North Pole. My favorite part about it was sitting in the sleigh. I can’t wait to see what we get to do in the library. I hope we have hot chocolate.” Our fourth grade students are excited about not only about what they’ve experienced in the past but what new things are added this year with the infusion of technology in the classroom. “I am excited about the research on Christmas Trees we will do using our iPads.” Caroline Johnston, fourth grader.
Living Literacy Day became a reality at Clarksville Academy three years ago with the story “The Polar Express”. This story held a powerful message and our students thoroughly enjoyed spending the day at the North Pole. Last year the school immersed itself in “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas”. This familiar story was a hit with adults and children alike. The lessons learned from both books went far beyond the story itself and worked its way into subjects like math and science. CA wants the students to see that these beloved stories can be used in variety subjects and ways. “I’m looking forward to everything because everything on Literacy Day is fun. Especially when there’s friends, games, and food!” said Adianna Cervantes a CA fourth grader.
Teachers have a different view of the day, “As a new teacher at Clarksville Academy I’m excited to see what the day holds. I love that the whole school comes together to share one common theme and that students of all ages are involved. Being a part of the planning of this day has been so fun and I look forward to seeing it all become a reality. “ Sara Hendrix, Lower School teacher. The hope of the Living Literacy committee is that students have an opportunity to experience the joy that is gained from reading an inspirational and uplifting story.
For more information on Clarksville Academy and its programs please contact Sally Allen at sallen@clarksvilleacademy.com.
