Literacy in Motion

Norman district debuts mobile learning initiative

BY: Lindsay Cuomo

Norman educators like Ann Rosales, the district’s director of early childhood education, spend the bulk of their time focused on the learning that happens inside classrooms, but a new district initiative that launched over winter break is seeking to impact the gap when students are not in school.

“We want every student to have the resources they need to be successful and we know that the time they are away from the school building is just as important,” Rosales said.

Inspired by mobilized book programs around the nation, Rosales and others within the district looked for ways to fill those educational holes and a Learning Bus program was their solution.

“This project hasn’t been just one department,” Rosales shared. “Everything from transportation to maintenance and a lot of other departments and community partners came together.”

“Cox Communications, Landers Chevrolet and the Norman Public Schools Foundation were such a big part in getting this off the ground. Scholastic and Norman public libraries too, they donated books.”

While literacy is an important foundational component, the Learning Bus will incorporate hands-on, higher-level learning, as well as be a resource for families. Rosales said she hopes to leverage the districts’ community partnerships so the program can be a place where families can go for information and support.

“We want to meet the needs of the whole child, to help each student reach their full potential,” she explained. “Parents are our students’ first and most influential teachers. If we want students to be successful, we need to help their parents be successful.”

The bus will be utilized during school breaks, bringing books, STEM activities, food, WiFi access, tech support and other community resources to parks, neighborhoods and school parking lots in areas of the district that need it the most, Rosales said.

“Summertime will be our busiest time for the literacy bus,” she said. “We’ll have a touring map and stop schedule on our website and on social media.”

The bus will park for about an hour so students can browse for books, enjoy storytime and engage with STEM activities. Book levels range from board books for younger siblings all the way up to a selection for parents. Students can simply check the books out using their student ID.

The bus will also have a presence during the school year too.

“We want the bus available during breaks but we also see it visiting schools during the school year,” Rosales said. “Something as different as getting a book from a bus creates excitement around learning.” – BSM