The book we’ll be reading in our book club . . .
In the spirit of modern-day classics like Fish in a Tree and Counting by 7s comes the story of a deaf girl’s connection to a whale whose song can’t be heard by his species, and the journey she takes to help him.
From fixing the class computer to repairing old radios, twelve-year-old Iris is a tech genius. But she’s the only deaf person in her school, so people often treat her like she’s not very smart. If you’ve ever felt like no one was listening to you, then you know how hard that can be.
When she learns about Blue 55, a real whale who is unable to speak to other whales, Iris understands how he must feel. Then she has an idea: she should invent a way to “sing” to him! But he’s three thousand miles away. How will she play her song for him?
Full of heart and poignancy, this affecting story by sign language interpreter Lynne Kelly shows how a little determination can make big waves.
Program Overview
14 week program
March 5th through June 4th; Students will be meeting once per week on Thursday afternoons from 5:00-6:30pm to read as a class, followed by active discussion and a reading comprehension/writing activity. No classes on 04/09 & 04/16.
For Grades 3 & 4
A child’s reading skills are important to their success in school as they will allow them to access the breadth of the curriculum and improve their communication and language skills.
Small Class Sizes
The class will be capped at 12 students in order to maximize the delivery of educational material.
Aligned with Common Core (CCSS)
All books and activities are carefully chosen to have meaning and purpose, and are aligned with CCSS.
The enrichment program designed to reinforce CSS standards! make reading fun! help build strong vocabularies! strengthen reading & writing skills! increased confidence!
Sharpens the mind by improving memory & focus
Concentrating on the words and the story line stimulates the part of the brain that is responsible for concentration and critical analysis.
Increases vocabulary & strengthens writing abilities
Through hearing stories, children are exposed to a wide range of words. This helps them build their own vocabulary and improve their understanding when they listen, which is vital as they start to build their reading and writing skills.
Enhances imagination & provides positive social interaction
In addition, reading can be a fun and imaginative time for children, as they immerse themselves into new worlds and embody various characters alongside their fellow classmates!
Did you know?
- Evidence suggests that children who read for enjoyment every day not only perform better in reading tests than those who don’t, but also develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge, and a better understanding of other cultures.
- Reading for pleasure is more likely to determine whether a child does well at school than their social or economic background.
- You can play an important role in helping to keep them interested in books. Find out what interests them, help them to find books that will be engaging and fun, and spend time reading the books they bring home from school together.