Some students in the TSC are not quietly sitting at a desk reading. Instead, they are taking a stroll⁠—a book stroll. The activity has small groups of students moving from one station to another reading signboards of a picture book that features different themes or soft skills.

At Wainwright Middle School, students walked from one end of the media center to the other to read The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos. Earlier this semester students enjoyed being outside to read Ideas are All Around.

“It’s a great way for students to experience a book,” says Wainwright Media Aide Judy Miller. “By reading the same book students can discuss the storyline, characters, illustrations and more. The book is a springboard to a lot of activities that incorporate math, science, writing and FACS (Family and Consumer Sciences).”

Middle School Media and Instructional Technology Specialist Alicia Spray says all six TSC middle schools and a few elementary schools are participating in the program, funded through a grant from the Public Schools Foundation of Tippecanoe County.

More than 1,000 students have already participated throughout the corporation. “It has been incredibly rewarding to witness students get excited over these books and to show genuine interest in the extension activities that are offered,” says Spray. “Students are solving fun but challenging math problems, creating mathematician trading cards, administering science experiments, writing poetry, examining art from our community, respectfully debating one another and reflecting on the people who have an influence on their lives.”