READING LIVES
Students give presentations on famous people during event
Schools across the country took part in Read Across America on Thursday to celebrate the birth of Dr. Seuss.
Saratoga Independent School joined more than 45 million readers in celebrating the 20th anniversary of Read Across America. The school had many visitors — including police officers, Mayor Joanne Yepsen and parents — reading their favorite Dr. Seuss books as part of the Read-In portion of the day.
“The wonderful thing about it is kids get to see somebody as important as the mayor, as important to our community as a police officer, that they are never too busy to stop and read and share a book with a child and to share the love of reading,” Felice Karlitz, director of the school, said. “And what a great model that is for kids.”
The fun continued after the Read-In portion, when children participated in biography presentations.
Children researched explorers, athletes, politicians, inventors, civil rights leaders, among other famous people and
then presented the biographies to different rooms throughout the school.
“Every child, from kindergarten through sixth grade, has chosen to read a biography and then they take on the persona of the person that they read about,” said Karlitz. “Some of them will be in costume with props and talking in the first-person voice and sharing about their lives with their audience, and then they will be taking questions and fielding them as if they were the character.”
In the music room, eight children performed in front of parents.
Kindergartner Sam Dolinksy wore a black longsleeve shirt and told the story of Steve Jobs.
Lucy Renaud spent hours on her hair to look like Lucille Ball.
Kaylee Renaud explained the brilliance of Harpo Marx.
Ashlyn Galvin dressed up and told the remarkable life of Helen Keller.
“We’ve been doing Read Across America for about eight years now and biography day we do every couple years,” said Karlitz. “Reading is just a tremendous part of our curriculum and kids love it, and the more we can make it come alive for children and share with others, it brings joy and learning.”