The ability to read opens up a world of knowledge and wonder to a child.
To celebrate the importance of the written word, students at George G. Blaisdell and School Street elementary schools are joining their peers across the country this week in celebrating Read Across America Day 2017.
Today — the birthday of children’s author Theodor Seuss Geisel — is Read Across America Day, though local students will be celebrating several days this week. The numerous activities planned at both schools will include providing time for the children to hear stories read aloud.
“Reading aloud to a child is the single most important thing a caregiver can do to prepare a child for reading and learning,” said GGB Principal Erin Waugaman, who noted that many of the pre-K and kindergarten students at her school cannot yet read.
Similarly, School Street Principal Sarah Tingley explained, “It’s important to engage students during Read Across America Day because it provides another opportunity to view reading as a positive and engaging activity. When one reads to a child in an expressive manner, it hooks them on wanting to read more themselves.”
At School Street Elementary, students are invited to participate in different dress-up days each day this week. Tingley noted each day is “based upon Dr. Seuss’ books and characters.” Photographs and information on the dress-up days will be posted on the school’s Facebook page. The dress-up days were coordinated by Missy Cornelius.
Additionally, individual teachers have been doing Dr. Seuss-related activities like art projects and writing prompts. “The hallways and classroom doors are decorated with student artwork,” she noted.
The week will culminate on Friday with visitors from the community coming to School Street to read to students. According to Tingley, many people work together to ensure the event goes smoothly.
“Jill Cottillion, Keri Baldwin, and Rebecca Ward have been coordinating the readers for each grade level,” she said. Also, volunteers from Bradford Area High School will be on hand to welcome guest readers and help them navigate the school. “They also take turns dressing up in a Cat in the Hat costume and visit the classrooms.”
Tingley described the benefits of bringing in visitors to read to students.
“Having different community members modeling their reading behaviors reinforces to the students that reading is enjoyed by many people from so many different walks of life,” she explained. “The conversations that the readers have with the students are memorable and impactful.”
Tingley said the opportunity for students to connect with visiting readers helps them to understand the power of reading in another way.
“Students love to hear the types of jobs that our readers have and the stories connected to the books that they chose to read to the students,” said Tingley. “Often times, the reasons that books are chosen are personal so that makes a strong connection for the students. We always encourage our readers to share a little bit about themselves because it helps the students relate to their situations.
“So, I guess why is it important to engage the students? I guess it’s not any different than any other day in school,” Tingley explained. “It’s looked as another learning opportunity. Read Across America allows us to provide the learning by different adults and in a celebratory manner.”
At George G. Blaisdell Elementary School, students started the celebration of reading on Wednesday with its annual Bingo for Books event from 6 to 7 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria, said Waugaman. Also, “Our students wore as many colors as they could to school (Wednesday) to go along with Dr. Seuss’s book “My Many Colored Days,” she said.
To celebrate the date of Seuss’s actual birthday today the PTO will treat all the students to cupcakes, said Waugaman.
“Finally on Friday, the students are encouraged to wear a shirt showing some place they have been or want to go to and will read ‘Oh the Places You’ll Go,’” she said.
Read Across America gives the young students at GGB — who are in pre-K through second grade — a solid foundation for learning to read, as well as growing to appreciate what books have to offer, according to Waugaman.
In addition to being fun, the experience of having students hear visiting readers also teaches them the importance of literacy as a skill.
“Our teachers read to the students every day,” said Waugaman. “In addition to this, it is nice for the students to have their parents come in the classrooms to read to the class, a community member or volunteer. When community members come into school to read to students, they also share how reading is important to their careers.”
