Schools celebrate Read Across America Week
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Craig Wolfley, former Steelers offensive lineman, reads a book to Trinity North Elementary School students during Read Across America Week. Wolfley and his wife, Faith, joined the school Thursday afternoon to read, answer questions and sign autographs.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
During a reading of “What Pet Should I Get,” Craig Wolfley, former Steelers offensive lineman, polls students – and they raise their hands in favor of pet dogs over cats, rabbits and fish. Wolfley and his wife, Faith, read to Trinity North Elementary School Thursday as part of its Read Across America Week activities.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Trinity North Elementary School was a sea of black and gold Thursday, when former NFL offensive lineman Craig Wolfley visited for Read Across America Week. Wolfley’s wife, Faith, held the microphone while the former Steeler entertained students with a reading of “What Pet Should I Get.”
Courtesy of Jefferson-Morgan School District
Jefferson-Morgan Elementary School third-grade students in Heather Wise’s class enjoyed listening to a story read by J-M High School senior Ann Uveges during Read Across America Week.
Courtesy of Jefferson-Morgan School District
Students at Jefferson-Morgan School District enjoyed Read Across America Week with a variety of fun activities. Here, fifth-graders are cozying up with blankets and snacks and reading books for fun.
Courtesy of Uniontown Area School District
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School kindergarten students in Shelby Crouch’s kindergarten class enjoyed reading “The Book With No Pictures” and then completing an art activity as part of the school district’s Read Across America Week activities.
courtesy Central Greene School District
Students in Mrs. Lynn Stoneking’s and Mrs. Tina Virgin’s second-grade classes celebrated Read Across America week by learning to use chopsticks to eat rice and noodles after completing a reading unit on traditions and customs of other countries. Read Across America Week promotes the joy of reading, and school districts throughout the area held a variety of fun activities and events to help instill a love of reading in students.
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Former Steelers offensive lineman Craig Wolfley demonstrates a proper block to Trinity North Elementary School’s fourth and fifth grades. Wolfley and his wife, Faith, spent the afternoon reading to and signing autographs for the students.
Unlike Mayzie, the lazy bird in Dr. Seuss’s “Horton Hatches an Egg,” students at local schools were far from “tired and bored” as school districts celebrated Read Across America Week with a variety of fun themes and activities, and guest readers.
The National Education Association initiated Read Across America in 1998 to instill a love of reading in students.
“It helps ignite their love of reading and learning,” said Dr. Sam Damien, principal at Trinity North Elementary School. “It’s a fun and entertaining way to encourage reading, and to celebrate and emphasize the importance of being a reader.”
Throughout last week, guest readers read aloud to students in Trinity elementary schools, with a celebrity reader, Craig Wolfley, retired Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman and color analyst for the team, reading at Trinity North on Thursday.
At Fort Cherry Elementary Center, students were delighted with theme days that included mismatched shoes and socks day, crazy hat and hair day, and wear your favorite pajamas and cozy up with a good book day.
Jefferson-Morgan Elementary School students also celebrated with activities such as eating green eggs and ham, creating Dr. Seuss hats, and making nests – an homage to Horton, the kind and loyal elephant whose patience is rewarded at the end of the beloved children’s book.
Educators said children who are enthused about school often perform better overall, and motivating children to read is an essential part of student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers.
“That’s the importance of ‘Reading Across America,’ to foster that love for reading,” said Brandon Robinson, assistant superintendent at Jefferson-Morgan School District. “It’s important to celebrate reading at all age levels. Kids this week have been paying attention, they’re interested and enthusiastic. They love to hear someone read to them.”
At elementary schools in the Uniontown Area School District, students dressed as their favorite book characters and marched in a book parade.
Bonita Nesser, literacy coach for Uniontown’s Benjamin Franklin, Wharton and Marclay elementary schools, said one of the popular events was “book buddies,” where middle school students read books to elementary students.
Students in kindergarten through third grade also enjoyed reading the engaging and funny “The Book with No Pictures,” written by B.J. Novak of “The Office” fame and filled with silly words like Boo Boo Butt and and Glurr Ga-Wocko. Children then picked four words and drew pictures of them.
“They really liked doing that. It was so fun for those little ones. It’s a book that makes them laugh and gets them involved,” said Nesser.
Educators encouraged parents to help spark a love of books by beginning to read to children at an early age.
It’s important, too, for children to read about topics they are interested in, and to see their parents reading books.
“Reading is a fundamental part of learning, and it stimulates kids’ imagination. It’s important, too, for them to read for pleasure, as an escape, not because it’s part of an assignment,” said Damien. “They’ve been excited all week, and they’re having a lot of fun.”