Golden Apple: Popular Hamster Brings Families Together

Elementary students in the Bemidji Area Schools are learning new reading skills through a very popular hamster. So popular, that the district has given a copy to every student.

The program is designed for students of all ages to work on their reading skills with their families.

The One District One Book program launched last week. Each student received a brand new copy of the book The World According to Humphrey.

Each day, students from kindergarten to 5th grade will read a chapter at home. For parents who may have difficulties reading or short on time, there are audio book videos on the district website of each chapter.

When they come to class, they’ll do different activities and trivia based on the reading. While some of the older students have already read the book, they can still learn from it.

Deborah Brown says some of her fourth grade students have also read it before.

Some of the skills students have been learning through this book have been reinforced with their regular readings. So far, it seems to be working. While this is the first year, the teachers hope the program continues.