OSP History – GMS "On the Same Page"

GMS: On the Same Page

A community-wide reading project sponsored annually by Geneseo Middle School

History:

GMS: On the Same Page was created in 2009 to increase student achievement in reading by getting the community involved by reading the same book as GMS students. The program begins in the spring each year when students volunteer to be a part of a reading cadre that reads books from several middle grade award lists such as Rebecca Caudill, Illinois Reads, and other national award winners (usually 20 middle school level novels). The cadre narrows the list to 3 to 5 books by the end of the school year. The final decision is made the following fall and the cadre makes the decision based on the following criteria: 1) Has a strong male and female character and 2) Has a topic that is appealing to not only middle school students but to adults as well. Once the book has been chosen a book talk is created to help encourage students and community members to read the book.

Beginning in January, students and teachers begin promoting the program by going around to service organizations giving the book talk and passing out copies of the book. People who take a copy of the book are encouraged to share the book with others once they have finished reading the book in hopes that the books will circulate throughout the community. There is no cost to participate in the program. The program is funded by grants and donations. Community members can also pick up copies of the book at many businesses who have them on display or at Geneseo Middle School.

To bring the program to a close, each spring there is some type of culminating activity where community members and students come together to do some type of activity dealing with the book.

For more information about GMS: On the Same Page, please contact program coordinator Jeanne Brucher jbrucher@geneseoschools.org (309) 945-0524 or visit their blog at http://gcsdblogs.org/onthesamepage/.

Below are books that have been chosen each year and their culminating activities.

2010 Book: Elephant Run by Roland Smith

Culminating Event: Skyped with Roland Smith

2011 Book: Savvy by Ingrid Law

Culminating Event: Skyped with Ingrid Law

2012 Book: One-Handed Catch by M.J. Auch

Culminating Event: Wounded Warrior Presentation and Fundraiser

2013 Book: A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

Culminating Event: Water Challenge and A Walk for Water Fundraiser that led to the installation of a well in South Sudan

2014 Book: Candy Bomber: The Berlin Airlift’s “Chocolate Pilot“ by Michael O. Tunnell

Culminating Event: Candy Drop and Flight Exhibit at Geneseo AirPark-video

2015 Book: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Libary by Chris Grabenstein

Culminating Events: OSP Lemoncello Weekly Clue Game and Pajama Game Party

2016 Book: Death by Toilet Paper by Donna Gephart

Culminating Event: author visit and Toilet Paper Fair/Fashion Show

We had a great time hosting Donna Gephart as the culminating event for the 2016 On the Same Page read of Death by Toilet Paper. Here are some pics from the writing workshop, all-school assembly, and evening Toilet Paper Fair and Fashion Show.