“It’s an exciting day, beginning of our annual tradition,” Elementary Principal Kristina Brazeau said in greeting the students. “It’s the 15th-annual One School, One Book program. Every student, every teacher, every family will read the same book.”

The students arrived wearing paper headbands featuring different animals, including pigs, spiders and cows. Each year, the event starts with a skit to help students guess the book.

Teachers Grace Lorenzoni and Amy Johnson-Bracket led the kids through a series of questions to help them guess. A number of items were shown to the children, including a stuffed pig, a first-place ribbon, bubbles and the words “some” and “pig.” Then Templeton the Rat — played by Assistant Elementary Principal Bryan Johnson — made an appearance and produced the word “radiant” from his bag of stolen items.

Have you guessed yet? “Charlotte’s Web,” the 1952 classic written by E.B. White, was selected by a committee of staff members. Brazeau said they did read this book once before, but it’s such a classic and current students weren’t in school when they did.

Woodland Elementary School third grader Ashlyn Shetland looks at baby goat Arlo that was part of a skit for the One School, One Book program launched Tuesday. The book “Charlotte’s Web” was selected for this year. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News)

“Charlotte’s Web” tells the story of a spider who helps save a pig named Wilbur by writing words of praise to describe him in her web.

They will read one chapter a night. Chapters will also be available online, read by staff members and featuring the daily “mystery word” that students can turn in to their teachers. Activities, games, projects and a read-a-thon are planned as well.

Students will also create dioramas that will be displayed in the library. Characters from the book will be featured throughout the school. They will also show the movie “Charlotte’s Web.”

The younger classes partner with an older class for projects and activities.

Longtime elementary teacher Joan Shanks said it’s very exciting for the kids. “They read the story and talk about it, and do things with other classes.”

Woodland Elementary School teacher Amy Johnson-Bracket listens as students give guesses Tuesday as to which book was selected for the annual One School, One Book program at the school. The book “Charlotte’s Web” was chosen. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News)

A new event this year is pig races, using pigs they “aren’t going to have to clean up after,” Johnson-Bracket said. Each grade level will have a pig, and friends and family can sponsor that pig. The pig with the most money will get a head start during the race. All money raised will go to the 4-H program. The race will take place during Literacy Night from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, with the race set for 5:15 p.m. in the gym. A trophy will be awarded to the class with the winning pig.

“We wanted to do a community-service project,” Johnson-Bracket said.

She also had on display one of her chickens, Freckles, that students helped raise.

Students will also learn about 4-H throughout the month.

This is the second time they’ve raised money. While reading “Pet Wars,” they did a penny war to raise money for the humane society.

“I think it’s awesome,” 4-H leader and current council head Kim Wright said. “The money will go to 4-H kids. I’m so grateful they are making 4-H a priority with their funds.”

One of her baby goats was on display as part of the setup. She said six baby goats will go to 4-H members this year to be raised and shown at the Dickinson County Fair.

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.