One School, One Book Debuts at High Road School of Hartford Primary
One School, One Book Debuts at High Road School of Hartford Primary
This year marked an exciting milestone for High Road School of Hartford Primary as the school launched its first One School, One Book program. Students, staff, and families read The Invention of Hugo Cabret, creating a shared reading experience centered on storytelling and literacy.
Building a Shared Reading Experience
As part of the program, each student received their own copy of the book with a personalized nameplate, giving them a book to keep for many years to come. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a hybrid novel that blends text with cinematic-style illustrations and follows a young orphan named Hugo who lives secretly inside the walls of a Paris train station.
Supporting Students and Families at Home
To support access and engagement, staff members recorded themselves reading chapters aloud and shared the videos on YouTube for students and families to use at home. These recordings supported developing readers and offered an additional way for families to follow along with the story.
“There was something really special about seeing the whole school wrapped up in the same story,” said Jennifer Johnson, executive director of High Road Schools of Connecticut. “Students were asking questions, making predictions, and were genuinely excited to find out what happened next.”
Encouraging Engagement Through Daily Activities
After each chapter, students participated in daily trivia questions designed to reinforce comprehension and attention to detail. Participation was recognized with small prizes, including reading lights, bookmarks, trophies, and “I Love Reading” bracelets. This approach helped maintain momentum and encouraged students to stay engaged with the text.
Celebrating the Journey
The program concluded with a schoolwide viewing of the film adaptation of The Invention of Hugo Cabret. The event included additional prizes and recognized students’ participation throughout the program.
Looking Ahead
The initiative focused on strengthening literacy skills while creating a shared reading experience across the school. It also provided opportunities for students and families to engage with reading in a consistent and structured way.
School leaders plan to continue the One School, One Book program in future years as part of ongoing efforts to support student literacy and engagement.
