Four Years of OSOB Summer Fun at Rutherford County Schools

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN – The elementary and middle schools in Rutherford County School District are built on a strong, inclusive culture that prioritizes doing what is best for every child. Its faculty and staff are united by a shared commitment to action, with a sharp focus on being the difference they want to see as opposed to awaiting change to arrive independently. It’s why Assistant Principal Alexandria Wilson at John Colemon Elementary School was so thrilled to discover a program like One School, One Book (OSOB) – and even more excited to see their program implemented over the summer.

“It gives every student the chance to listen to and enjoy a high-quality story without the stress of decoding unfamiliar words,” Wilson says, of OSOB. “By removing that barrier [of being held during the school year], students can focus on comprehension, imagination, and the joy of reading. More importantly, it can help cultivate a lasting love for books and shared story experiences, something that can grow with students for years to come.”

Since 2022, students and teachers across Rutherford County Schools use their Summer School as an opportunity to come together around a shared reading experience. Some of their selected titles have included: Summer According to Humphrey by Betty Birney, The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, Class Dismissed by Allan Woodrow, Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar, and 8 Class Pets + 1 Squirrel ÷ 1 Dog = Chaos by Vivian Vande Velde.

“By reading the same book — such as The Wild Robot or Class Dismissed, which is a favorite among students and staff— everyone becomes part of a unified learning community,” Wilson says. “[OSOB] creates space for rich, meaningful discussions where students can explore characters, themes, and ideas while learning from one another’s perspectives. Most importantly, this shared experience allows all students to engage with literature in an accessible way. They can build confidence, foster a love of storytelling, and strengthen the culture of collaboration and joy in reading that extends far beyond the summer.”

To stoke student and faculty excitement each year, Wilson creates an interactive display that evolves alongside the selected title. After each chapter, elements are intentionally added or removed from the display to reflect key events, characters, or changes in the plot. This visual representation sparks curiosity and encourages students to closely follow the story. The evolving display has consistently encouraged students to think critically about what they read and make deeper connections to the text.

“I will pose thoughtful questions that prompt students to discuss the chapter they just read, as well as analyze the significance of the changes made to the display,” Wilson says. “This approach has proven to be highly effective, as it encourages students to think critically, make connections, and deepen their understanding of the text, all while fostering excitement and active participation in the reading experience.”

These interactive boards directly contributed to one of Wilson’s favorite parts of her school’s OSOB experience, as well: “…the genuine joy and excitement on students’ faces as they walk by the interactive display each day. Their curiosity about what has been added or taken away shows how invested they are in the story.”

Additional activities during Rutherford County’s OSOB programs have included discussion questions, building-wide competitions, and trivia.

“I loved listening to the rich discussions students have with one another about the book—hearing them share ideas, make predictions, and connect details demonstrates how deeply they are thinking. Those moments truly capture the impact of creating a shared reading experience across the school.”

Each activity, according to Wilson, helped foster excitement and participation across the school, and stoked students’ investment in the story.

“It is important for a school community to read and share one book together, because it creates a sense of unity and shared purpose among students and staff,” Wilson says. “It brings together students from many backgrounds and gives everyone equal access to a meaningful story. It encourages critical thinking and active participation. As students respond to discussion questions, observe changes in the interactive display, and participate in trivia and competitions, they are not just reading. They are analyzing, connecting, and engaging with the text in meaningful ways.”

OSOB’s impact has been overwhelmingly positive in Rutherford County Schools. From strengthening the sense of community and increasing student engagement with reading, Wilson shares that OSOB has also brought together a diverse group of students and staff around a shared experience, creating opportunities for meaningful conversations and connections made across grade levels.

“OSOB has made reading enjoyable, accessible, and collaborative,” Wilson says. “Students who may have struggled with reading feel included, as they can listen and engage without pressure, while still building comprehension and enthusiasm. Overall, it has created a culture where reading is celebrated, shared, and something students genuinely look forward to.”

Always looking ahead, Wilson is eagerly anticipating Rutherford County’s next OSOB selection.

“Each book brings fresh ideas, themes, and characters that can be brought to life in an engaging way for our students,” Wilson says. “Creating a display that evolves with the story is something I truly enjoy, as it helps spark curiosity and excitement throughout the school. I look forward to continuing to find new ways to make the reading experience interactive, meaningful, and memorable for both students and staff.”

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We cannot thank Dr. Wilson enough for her time, and hope the kiddos at Rutherford County School have a fantastic summer OSOB! Have you ever held an OSOB event over the summer? Tell us about it in the comments below. Happy reading, all!