Read Across Shamokin
Honor Society students read to youngsters
By Zak Zanella '23, news editor
Freshmen Ava Hughes and Kealy Harmon read to elementary students for Read Across America.
(Submitted photo)
Almost 70 students from the Shamokin Area Middle/High School honor societies read to students from daycare age through second grade as part of the national Read Across America celebration in March.
Fifty-three students from the National Honor Society volunteered to read to the elementary students (kindergarten through second grade) on March 2. The following day, an additional 14 members of the National Junior Honor Society read to the students in the Northumberland County Career & Technology Center’s K-4 classes as well as its Tiny Tech.
“The importance of Read Across America is that it is a day to celebrate reading,’’ stated Mrs. Nahodil, reading teacher and co-organizer of the peer reading activity. “It is a fun day for all, and a great way to provide a positive reading model to younger students.’’
Mrs. Alonso, English teacher, believes the interactive experience between the high school students and the little kids is extremely beneficial in order to foster a love of reading for kids at a young age in order to prepare them for school and for life.
“The most important thing about Read Across America is the interaction between the middle and high school students with the little kids,’’ she added. “They go over there, they take a book, and do fun activities, such as playing games with them, and they bring a snack to them. I believe it’s an opportunity to be around the big kids, and have a love for reading and do something fun.’’
First established by the National Educators Administration (NEA) in 1998, and held annually on March 2 every year, Read Across America is the nation’s longest celebration of reading awareness, as well as the birthday of one of the most prolific and beloved children’s book authors of all time, Theodore Geisel, who is better known for his pseudonym, Dr. Seuss.
While it is considered a tradition to read a lot of Dr. Seuss’ books throughout this time in preparation for his birthday festivities, the list of books stretched out further to include other well-known children’s titles such as There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly! by Lucille Colandro, as well as Laura Numeroff’s beloved children’s book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. The primary goal of Read Across America seeks to encourage and motivate children and their families to become more motivated to explore and appreciate the joys of diving deeper into the rich, diverse world of literature. According to the Child Mind Institute, reading and sharing a story every single day can accomplish just that and so much more, by improving their overall vocabulary and language skills, as well as learning general information regarding the wondrous world around them.