Crabapple’s Camp Read-A-Lot Sparks Literacy Fun

Crabapple Lane Elementary’s Camp Read-A-Lot kicked off their One School, One Book program with flair.

This year, the Cardinals are all reading “Big Foot and Little Foot” by Ellen Potter. The school-wide literacy initiative encourages the entire school community to read the same book at the same time, fostering meaningful conversations and a shared love of reading both at home and at school.

Camp Read-A-Lot was an evening was filled with interactive activities, literacy resources, family engagement, and a strong sense of community.

During the “Camp Out With a Good Book” session, each family received the surprise book selection, enjoyed camping-themed snacks, and read together in tents. The “Night at the Library Campout” featured a living character museum where teachers dressed as their favorite book characters, inspiring students to discover new books and authors.

Families also enjoyed an interactive “Readers Theater” session that brought stories to life through performance and audience participation. Parents attended the “Trailblazing Reader Detectives” workshop where they learned strategies for helping children think more deeply about what they read through critical-thinking discussions.

“Reading Ranger” stations provided literacy resources for families, including Beanstack support and information about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Staff from the Tyrone Public Library was on hand, registering students for library cards and sharing information about programs and events for families throughout the year.

The night even included a surprise book character reveal, with students eagerly guessing the mystery visitor before Big Foot arrived.

Principal Erik Falkenhagen was thrilled with the response from the Cardinal family.

“Camp Read-A-Lot was an exciting evening that brought together students, families, staff, and community partners to celebrate the joy of reading while launching our One School, One Book program,” he said. “The event was a tremendous success, building excitement for reading and setting the stage for a year of shared literacy adventures.”