Students Gianna Fitzsimmons, Olivia Spedaliere and Ethan Carag presented the Global Read Aloud program to board members April 24 at the curriculum and technology committee meeting held at Salisbury Middle School.

The students were introduced by English teacher Beth Prokesch, who said Global Read Aloud was developed by a woman in Wisconsin who started the thought process of connecting students across the world by having them read one book.

“This year, over one million kids are reading on the same schedule and tweeting the author,” Prokesch said. “It is beneficial to try to get kids to do things outside the classroom.”

The novel, a New York Times Bestseller and an Amazon Best Book of the Year, was “Pax” by author Sara Pennypacker. It is the story about the powerful relationship between a boy and his fox.

The students participated in a “mystery skype” to find out where the students were from who were also participating in Global Read Aloud. “We could only ask ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions to find out where the kids were,” Gianna said..

They found out the participating students were from Lakeshore Middle School in Mooresville, N.C.

The students also chose projects associated with the book.

“I made a word cloud describing the main character, Pax. We continued the book after the last chapter,” Olivia said.

Ethan said he chose to do a comic associated with the book.

Prokesch said students across the entire globe read the same book in six weeks.

Olivia said the students also used the Padlet app which is an online virtual “bulletin” board, where students and teachers shared work, photos and symbolism with the book.

Prokesch said this is the second year participating in the Global Read Aloud program. She said the seventh grade students have pen pals in Italy and France and the sixth grade students have pen pals in North Carolina.

Principal Ken Parliman was complimentary of the program and said all three grades will participate next year.

Prokesch said the benefits are many, including having an authentic audience with students taking pride in their work, multiple perspectives were explored based on geography and experiences, a variety of writing was used, it increased the students’ enthusiasm and connections, increased discussions across content and grade level and it placed Salisbury ahead of other districts.

“It was great to see the kids interested and engaged and it was great for kids to be able to connect outside of Salisbury,” Parliman said.

In other business, Social Studies Department Chair Jennifer Brinson told the board the district is at the end of the 6-year license agreement for online social studies textbooks and the department has been discussing for the past year what would be best for the district and the students moving forward regarding textbooks or online versions of textbooks.

For sixth and seventh grade students, the department would like a total of 80 Ancient Civilizations textbooks and 130 online textbooks for sixth grade students. Brinson said it provides a book for each student and extra for English language learners and learning support students. “Extra online licenses could be used in seventh grade for students who have extended absences,” Brinson said.

Brinson said the textbook provides the depth and breadth for both grade levels in terms of content and rigor.

For American Cultures I and II, the book American History has been recommended. Brinson said it was critical to find a book to span the entire curriculum of both classes and this particular book goes along with the History channels on television.

Brinson is recommending a 1:1 textbook which includes some digital licenses for a few years as well as support for teachers. She said it includes online resources, Supreme Court cases and utilizes historical thinking skills.

For World Cultures, the department has been using the current book for 16 years. The new recommended book is “Modern World History: Patterns of Interaction.” Brinson is recommending 80 hard copies and 80 online licenses for six years.

“It infuses text with multimedia through the web based access,” Brinson said.

The committee was told 100 percent of the cost has been budgeted.

George Gatanis asked if any of the history classes go past World War II which ended 75 years ago.

Brinson said American Cultures II classes get to present day and other history classes stop at World War II.

Salisbury High School Principal Heather Morningstar and Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Lynn Fuini-Hetten presented an assessment update on Keystone remediation for biology, algebra and literature.

Fuini-Hetten provided a TL 2020 update which included a discussion on determining the financial feasibility of refreshing the computer equipment which is reviewed every three years. They are looking at current pricing, the condition of the equipment and the value of the equipment. Fuini-Hetten commended Coordinator of Technology Chris Smith for working with Apple on these items.

Responses to a recent technology survey by teachers and parents were revealed at the meeting.