Caption: Vanessa Flurry, one of the PACA librarians reads “Cowboy camp” to a group of elementary students who came to a library story time session as part of an elementary reading contest activity. [by Michelle Chang]
by Vitor Silva
The reading contest began on Monday September 30, bringing a month of reading activities and challenges to the students in all elementary grades.
Among some of the activities was a “drop everything and read” event in which students were encouraged to stop everything they were doing and to read a book. Some students pulled out picnic blankets and spread out on the elementary playground with their favorite book.
There were also dress up activities that included dressing up like a cowboy or a favorite book character.
For the students, it was just a day of fun. For the teachers, it means extra work and responsibility.
The elementary teachers have to organize themselves the decorations and prizes they give the students for reading weekly books. Not only that, but the librarians, Vanessa Flurry and Desiree Martins, were also instrumental in organizing the decorations and events to support the elementary teachers. They scheduled special guests to come to the library and read to the students.
Although It is very challenging for the teachers to decorate and organize their rooms, their hard work paid off as students enjoyed the theme for this year’s year’s reading contest, “Lasso a Book and Read.”
Ms. Daniela Pinheiro is one of the third grade teachers at PACA, and she confirms that there is a lot of preparation that goes into planning the weeks of activities for the reading contest.
“We have to do a lot of things,” said Pinheiro. “Decorating is one of the things that is a lot of work.”
Caption: Maker Space teacher, Livia Hwang, presents her decorations to her students. [by Michelle Chang]
One of the things she does is post information on Layers so that the parents of her students know what is coming up that week, and how students can earn prizes.
“Every week we have to deliver different prizes,” said Pinheiro. “Every weekend and at the beginning of each week they get a prize. And these prizes are very important for their development, because they feel encouraged. And it’s also really cool because the family actively participates in this process.”
In order to earn the prizes, she said that students also have opportunities to work on their reading challenges during school hours.
“We also have to set aside good books for the students to read during this time,” said Pinheiro, “and [we] spend the whole day on Monday…going to different rooms and having to accompany them in the activities and support them in everything they need.”
For Ms. Pinheiro, it is also hard work but she is certain it is worth it in the end, both on a social and academic level.
“I’m very excited, because the students can develop their reading skills and they are encouraged to do so,” said Pinheiro. “It’s a lot of work, but… at the same time… it’s completely rewarding.”
The reading contest, for teachers, is really in the development of reading skills and a visible improvement academically.
Pinheiro said, “They develop in reading because they want to read more to learn more. And they also develop in writing, because they can read better and see how to write each word correctly.”
One highlight of the reading contest was the “rodeo day” that took place on Friday, October 18, and included a visit from a local vet, haystack races, the mechanical bull ride and other fun farm activities.
The final day of the reading contest will be Monday, October 28.
