Through the work of a combination of teachers we were inspired to offer, “Cuddle Up with a Good Book” training at our school. Teacher, Jan Michael, trained the parents in how to read with children, while Tracy Harlan spoke about the Read Aloud program.
All the while, Michelle Felton, Louise Skonier, and Lisa Smith worked with the children to hold a Book Bingo. It took the efforts of all to hold such a successful night.
From generous grants we were able to offer a choice of materials, books, and snacks which allowed all to come together and create a blanket of their choice. The blankets created by the loving hands of parent and child allow a special reading bond to develop. They can then use the blanket as a reading tool to motivate their child to cuddle up and read together.
“It was just one of many initiatives held this year to continue to motivate our children to want to read. Harlan reports, “We’ve been lucky enough this year to offer five book give-a-ways, a couple of parent seminars, and many parent volunteer readers. Without the help of community and local monetary donations along with parent support we wouldn’t be able to continue these types of programs in our schools. Literacy needs to be the pushing force in our school and the impact these activities can bring is astronomical.
The blanket can become a signal informing students to read before bedtime every night. Mom and Dad can play a pivotal role in this by encouraging reading and taking part of this ritual. Just a mere 40 minutes a night can move a child up into the top percent of readers across the nation. This is what we’d like to see happen in our county. This is what we, Tucker Valley teachers, strive for.
Sponsors were Ladies of the Eastern Star, Elkins Wal-Mart, Toyota Company and Brick Street.
