|
|
|
Last Updated: Nov 5th, 2008 - 20:25:43 |
In today's high-tech environment featuring hand-held and computer video games, getting elementary school children to sit down with a good book and read can be a challenge. But by making connections between the real world and reading, educators can peak students' interests.That was exactly the plan as West Elementary School hosted Guest Reader Day last Thursday.
"The purpose behind this is to show the children that reading is a lifelong skill," said Deborah Levitz, Administrative Principal at the West Elementary School. "No matter the occupation, people still make time for reading."
West School has hosted Guest Reader Day for at least the last 12 years, which is when Levitz began her tenure as principal. Readers have a class to themselves for roughly 45 minutes where they read their selection and then take questions about their jobs and their roles in the community.
"In a world of instant messages, Playstations and XBoxes, reading is as important as it ever was and more fun," said Norfolk County District Attorney William Keating. "Reading has something other media canít surpass, the fun of using your imagination."
Keating, who has attended Guest Reader Day at the West School for many years, reads "Casey at the Bat" by Ernest Lawrence Thayer each year in Stoughton.
Among the readers at this year's event was State Representative Louis Kafka, D-Stoughton, Fire Chief David Jardin, Superintendent of Schools Claire McCarthy, Acting Police Chief Chris Ciampa and Judge Francis Crimmins.
"Itís important to impress upon students how important reading is," Kafka said.
Kafka has been to Guest Reader Day at the West School every year he's been in office. This year, he read to kindergarten students, he said.
"Kids that young are just fun to be around," Kafka said. "Itís mutually enjoyable."
Peaking students' reading interest ends up being just one facet of Guest Reader Day.
"In some ways it's a bit of a career day," Levitz laughed. "It really promotes community."
Read the complete article in the Stoughton Journal.
© Copyright 2004 by Stoughton Public
Schools
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
