Instilling a love of reading in RCES students
Rappahannock County Elementary School maintains a constant focus on building reading skills, a focus highlighted by the recent celebration of Read Across America week. Centered around Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Read Across America week featured a variety of student-oriented activities including a Drop Everything And Read ( DEAR) period, spirit days for reading including crazy socks and pajama days, book swaps, and a giveaway of free Dr. Seuss’ T-shirts for every student.
The highlight of the week was provided by two special in-school presentations from Dean Allen, known as the “Wizard of Reading.” Performing at an assembly during the school day and then again in an evening performance last month, Allen treated students, staff and parents to two extremely entertaining assemblies that mesmerized the audience while also driving home the importance of building good reading skills. Combining his deft skills of magic with an enchanting ability to bring treasured stories such as “The Lorax” and “Horton Hears a Who” to life, the “Wizard of Reading” delighted all who were in attendance.
The evening performance, billed as a “family fun night” and sponsored by the RCPS Parent Teacher Organization, was a special treat for the many RCES students who came back for the second showing. Students enjoyed snacks, prizes, and a book swap and most students proudly wore their Dr. Seuss T-shirt they had received in school on Tuesday morning. A special thanks goes to the RCPS PTO and to Katherine Todd, RCES Reading/Math Interventionist and PTO officer, both of whom were instrumental in bringing these enriching events to RCES and helping to instill a new found love for reading in the students.
While in many ways every week is considered “reading week” at RCES, highlighting the importance of reading in special events such as these serves the dual purpose of inspiring a love of reading in those who might not yet have it and reigniting that passion in those who like nothing better than curling up with a good book. As a key part of the traditional “three Rs,” reading skills are instrumental to student success and successfully teaching those skills is an integral part of the RCES curriculum.