For the second consecutive year, William O. Schaefer and Cottage Lane Elementary Schools are partnering with SOCES PTA to promote literacy at home through the Pick a Reading Partner (PARP) program! The goal is for every child to have a partner read to them for 15 minutes every day. To make this more exciting and engaging, SOCES PTA has given every family in grades K-5 a copy of Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White to read at home from January 24 through February 14. 

All SOCES students were introduced to the book and the program on January 24. The oldest child in each family was presented with their family’s copy of the book. We are personally asking you to make the time so your family can participate in this special activity. A reading schedule is posted below to follow at home. Although you may read several chapters, it should only take about 15 minutes per night.

In school, your child will be invited to answer daily trivia questions to encourage and reward attentive, aggressive listening. You will soon find that your child will take pride in knowing and anticipating the details of the story. In class, there will be various activities that discuss or explore the book. You will want to make sure your family keeps up so your child can be included. Throughout the month, everyone will be talking about Charlotte’s Web!

Reading professionals recommend reading material out loud that is beyond a child’s own reading level. We also believe that you can and should continue reading chapter books with your older children, even when they are able to read by themselves. We have selected a title that can be followed, understood and enjoyed by younger students, but that will still captivate and stimulate older children.

We know that you will enjoy this special reading time. We hope to talk with both you and your student sometime this month about Fern and Wilbur and the lessons imparted by the noble spider Charlotte. “When a whole school reads a book, there’s a lot to talk about.” With your help, we can build a community of readers in our schools!

For community-based family events and activities connected to this year’s PARP program, stay tuned to the SOCES PTA Facebook page!

1/24: Chapter 1 / I – Before Breakfast, Chapter 2 / II – Wilbur [pp. 1 – 12] 
1/27: Chapter 3 / III – Escape [pp. 13 – 24] 
1/28:  Chapter 4 / IV – Loneliness [pp. 25 – 31]
1/29: Chapter 5 / V – Charlotte [pp. 32 – 41] 
1/30: Chapter 6 / VI – Summer Days, Chapter 7 / VII – Bad News, Chapter 8 / VIII – A Talk at Home [pp. 42 – 54] 
1/31: Chapter 9 / IX – Wilbur’s Boast [pp. 55 – 65] 
2/3: Chapter 10 / X – An Explosion [pp. 66 – 76] 
2/4: Chapter 11 / XI – The Miracle, Chapter 12 / XII – A Meeting [pp. 77 – 91] 
2/5: Chapter 13 / XIII – Good Progress [pp. 92 – 104] 
2/6: Chapter 14 / XIV – Dr. Dorian, Chapter 15 / XV – The Crickets [pp. 105 – 117]
2/7: Chapter 16 / XVI – Off to the Fair [pp. 118 – 129] 
2/10: Chapter 17 / XVII – Uncle, Chapter 18 / XVIII – The Cool of the Evening [pp. 130 – 143]
2/11: Chapter 19 / XIX – The Egg Sac [pp. 144 – 154]
2/12: Chapter 20 / XX – The Hour of Triumph [pp. 155 – 162]
2/13: Chapter 21 / XXI – Last Day [pp. 163 – 171] 
2/14: Chapter 22 / XXII – A Warm Wind [pp. 172 – 184]