How might we improve literacy skills in first and second graders?
Open Book Adventures (OBA) is One Stone’s longest-running Project Good program. First and second grade “buddies” around the Treasure Valley come to One Stone to partner one-on-one with high school students “Adventure Guides” for three days of building connections and diving into activities that encourage a love of learning. Young buddies gain a fun and caring near-peer mentor while high school students expand their skills in leadership, problem-solving, communication, and empathy.
For three days in June, 31 first and second grade students and 32 high school students joined each other at One Stone Headquarters where the young buddies practiced reading and writing, worked on their handwriting and storytelling skills, and engaged in activities promoting social-emotional growth.
This year's theme was based on the book “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”. Each day an adventure guide would read one of the books from author Laura Numeroff’s series (If You Give a Moose a Muffin etc.). Then, buddies and guides would complete an activity or craft based on the book.
There were rotations each day that included reading with your buddy, vocabulary games, and adding words to the new word wall. Each afternoon of the week was spent working on a Reader’s Theater. Campers and guides practiced their script, built their set, and designed all of their own costumes. On the last day, campers performed their Reader's Theater, which was a retelling of a classic fairytale story, for other campers and their families. Campers got to finish the week in our very own “One Stone Book Fair” and take home a book of their choosing that was theirs to keep.
Data:
-95% of the young campers said they felt like a good reader after camp
-One camper said, “Thank you for making OBA camp possible! I loved working with my buddy.”
-A high school “guide” shared what his young buddy said to him as camp was wrapping up, “I asked my buddy what his favorite part of camp was and he said “you” and gave me a hug.”
-90% of parents said Open Book Adventures Camp engaged their child's curiosity.
-86% of parents said Open Book Adventures Camp supported their child's development.
-One parent said OBA is a “fun, safe interactive camp with high school students to help encourage curiosity, love of learning, and confidence.”
Fast Fact Sheet
Focus: Literacy and writing
Recipients: 1st and 2nd graders
Number of recipients: 31
Number of One Stone members involved in planning/implementation: 31 guides, 5 staff
Number of weeks of planning: 5
How many hours it took to prepare for implementation: 20+
How many hours it took to implement: 18
