Right: Students stroll the StoryWalk® trail; Library teacher Jean Donolan reads with pre-schoolers (contributed photo)
Southborough children are able to walk through a picture book story through the end of this month.
The StoryWalk® was set up at Finn School for their pre-K – 1st grade students. But the community is invited to come out an enjoy it with their kids through Monday.
The program leads children along a trail marked by pages in a story.
Finn’s StoryWalk® was organized by the school’s library teacher, Jean Donlon, and funded by the Southborough Education Foundation.
Until October 31st, walkers can enjoy reading “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything”. You can find the trail on Finn’s grounds at 60 Richards Road.
For more details, see their release below:
Take a Hike Through Story Land! The Mary Finn Elementary School is pleased to announce its first seasonal StoryWalk® of the school year.
As explained by the official StoryWalk® website:
StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for children — and adults! — to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children’s book are attached to wooden stakes, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you’re directed to the next page in the story.
Ann Ferguson, of Montpelier, Vermont, conceived the StoryWalk® idea, and joined forces with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library and the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition to develop the program.
Jean Donlon, library teacher at the Finn and Woodward Schools in Southborough, received a grant from the Southborough Education Foundation to create seasonal StoryWalks® at both schools. Donlon was first introduced to StoryWalk® several years ago as she walked along the Rail Trail in West Boylston. She wrote the grant at the suggestion of James Randell, principal of Finn and Woodward Schools.
According to Donlon, ” We expect children to be engaged in literacy for substantial parts of every school day. Since kids also need to move their bodies, StoryWalk® allows them a chance to get a little fresh air and exercise as they enjoy a good story!”
The first StoryWalk® book is The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, by Linda D. Williams. Teachers, students, and the Southborough community may share this favorite fall story from October 17-October 31, on the Mary Finn School grounds.
For further information, contact jdonlon@nsboro.k12.ma.us.
