Boni Libri Reading Program
It is with great excitement that we are kicking off our Boni Libri reading program! We pray that your child will develop a love of reading classical literature and enjoy the opportunity afforded them in making their own selection of books from the attached lists. All lists will be given to each child knowing that students might be on different reading levels and interest. Please understand that while you might have an advanced reader, content might not be suitable at higher levels of reading. This is where a parent’s gentle guidance in making book selections is needed. Boni Libri reading shall be from books on the attached list unless approved by the teacher. Please ask if you have a question about a book that might need to be added to the lists.
We will place reading cut offs on the academic calendar and reward students for their participation in the reading program each nine weeks. They will be recognized for participation by certificate and special events like a uniform pass, pizza parties, etc. At the end of the year, we hope to award each participant with a T-shirt announcing how many books that CLA students have read collectively with their own personal accomplishment possibly being displayed. There will be more to come about this in future communications about Boni Libri.
For now, please help your child make his or her first book selections. For the younger students, they will need lots of help -even having most of the book read to them. They will pick up conventions of reading from this like directionality, concepts of print, speed and expression. Please ask questions during the reading. For the older students, have time set aside when everyone reads. This could be right before lights-out after your devotional time. Take them to the book store and sit around reading while mom shops. Reading can be fun. You may go to the public library, new and used book stores, or borrow from our library if the book is available. If you see that you have books from our list that you no longer want to shelve at your home, we would be blessed to receive those to add to our library.
After your child has read the book, they will fill out an index card front and back and turn it into their 1st period teacher for their approval. All components of the card must be in place. After they have completed at least 10 books, they will receive a file box to start their card collection. Over time they will enjoy viewing their writing and reading adventure through their school years at CLA! For the lower grade students, they can dictate to you their answers and synopsis of the books they read. When they are able to properly fit their writing on the cards, they should be encourage to do their own writing. This is like a short book report.
Your child’s teacher will file them until they reach 10 cards. In time, they will be able to see how many books they have read just by opening their special box. We hope they will cherish this experience and learn goal setting as well as develop a love for the classics. Have fun and keep reading!
