New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Carrigan students read their way to national competition bronze
WEST HAVEN — At May V. Carrigan Intermediate School, students are reading with the best of them.
The school recently took third place in a national seven-week competition hosted by the reading nonprofit Learning Ally. Through Learning Ally’s reading app, the Learning Ally Link, students read along as books are narrated to them in an engaging way.
By the end of this year’s competition, Carrigan students read a cumulative 165,504 pages.
“I read every day for five hours, maybe six,” said Sophia DosAnjos, 12. “It was more than usual.”
Carrigan Reading Consultant Jaclyn Cincotta said the appeal of the program to educators is its accessibility to students with learning disabilities, providing aids for readers with dyslexia and other visual and reading impairments.
“It gives all kids access,”
she said.
Although Cincotta said she
promoted the competition to teachers and parents after
learning of it from another teacher, the glory for the school’s high performance belongs to the students.
“That was all the kids,” she said. “We put the work out there, but the kids did the reading.”
Carrigan Asisstant Principal Latanya Joyner, a former reading consultant, said the competition was a net benefit for students.
“Any time they get rewarded for reading, it’s a good day,” she said.
Of the top 10 readers in the school, students were divided as to whether their daily reading increased during the span of the competition. Marcelliano Quinones, 10, said he did much more reading during the competition. He said he liked books with pictures best.
“The pictures made it interesting. You could see what was happening,” he said.
Student Abigail Allister, 11, said she had already been a voracious reader.
“I read before bed and before school,” she said.
Michelle Cerda, 10, said placing within the top 10 readers in her school was a point of pride.
“I felt proud of myself because I accomplished something,” she said. “I’ve always liked to read.”
The school’s top reader, 11-year-old Jeremy SalasChan,
said he also enjoys reading, but his parents have been motivators.
“They’ve always pushed me to read more,” he said.
One of the most popular books on the app, according to students’ habits, was the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” children’s fiction franchise.
“The main character is interesting and the books relate to life,” said Michelle.
Some students said the audiobook format was the best way they knew to read books.
“It feels like someone is with you reading,” said Justice Damiani, 11.
“I like the characters,” said Mayenmen Ngoh, 10.
Michelle said she likes paperback better.
“It’s easier. I prefer a real book,” she said.
Educators said the district’s relationship with Learning Ally has paid dividends beyond boosting student morale. Library Media Specialist Candice Kelley said there has been at least one instance in which a book that was not in the school’s library was located on the Learning Ally Link for students.
“Kids are more technologygeared, and it gives all kids access,” Cincotta said.