Read-In Week Edmonton 2013: My first experience

I stand at the back of the room watching the events unfold in front of me.  My mind is racing.  Remember to read loud and make lots of eye contact.  My stomach has that fluttery, flitty feeling and I am glad I had a light lunch.  Some sit there so quiet and others can not quite keep their bottoms stationary.  The queasiness in my tummy tells me I just want to get this over with as quick as possible.  I shouldn't but I do. 

'OK boys and girls, we have a special guest today, do you know...'(she gets cut off)

Boy in the front row: 'It's L. mom!  I know her, it's L. mom.'

Teacher:  'Yes boys and girls it's L. mom and we have to show her how we sit quietly and listen to a story.  Do you think you can do that?'

Everyone:  an excited 'Yes'

READ-IN WEEK EDMONTON OCTOBER 7-11, 2013

 

Oh boy, here goes.  I am taking part in Read-In Week Edmonton for the first time reading a story to a kindergarten and grade 2 class.    When I asked for advice from seasoned elementary teachers they said: remember to use an animated voice and don't get distracted by the plethora of questions thrown at you; some related to the story and some completely not.

First up is my son Mr. Yoda in kindergarten.  We discovered this book at the library and it is the one he picked for me to read.  It is called One by Kathryn Otoshi.  A book that tackles topics such as bullying and self-esteem but also colours, numbers and counting.  With the kindergarteners every time I turned the page and introduced a new colour a kid would tell me that that colour was their favorite colour.  And of course,  that they can count to 7.  I was so glad I had the opportunity to read in my son's class and share my love of reading.  And they listened remarkable well for a group of 5 year olds.

Here is Mr. Yoda and me after the reading.
Maybe when I become more seasoned myself I will include my own reading but for this time here is Kathryn Otoshi reading One accompanied by students at an elementary school.







Now off to Mr. Black Licorice's class.  A grade two class.  My flutters were now out and my old teacher self was slowly returning.  In the grade two room I got to sit in a comfortable rocking chair with all the students sitting on a carpet in front of me eagerly gazing up at me.  My eldest son is beginning to love spooky stories.  He is a huge Scooby Doo fan as well.  With Halloween fast approaching my eldest chose Miss Smith and the Haunted Library by Michael Garland.

Hip Miss Smith has an incredible storybook.  When someone reads the stories from it the characters come out of the book and join you.  The characters joining you as you read the spooky stories are The Headless horsemen, the Hound of the Baskervilles, Marley's ghost, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Frankenstein, Count Dracula, Captain Hook, the Wicked Witch of the West, Rumpelstiltskin, the Queen of Hearts, the Big Bad Wolf and the Giant from Jack and the Beanstalk and the Jabberwocky.  Some of the characters my son was familiar with having seen versions of the stories in other contexts.  At first, everyone is afraid of the characters but then Miss Smith brings out the cookies and apple cider and everyone begins to relax and mingle. 

The Miss Smith series of books by Michael Garland are perfect examples of what a tell my son all the time.  Reading makes the characters and stories come alive.

I read to my children all the time.  It was not something my mother did, not because she didn't want to but because reading in English did not come easy to her.  English was not the language spoken at home.  I was behind in the early grades in elementary school and it took me years to catch up but I did.  And I became an avid reader.  I remember I had all the Nancy Drew books, and a lot of a series called Sweet Dreams.  I clearly remember the first chapter book I read by myself as it is a defining moment.  James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl.  The confidence in one's ability can not be under scored when talking about the gift of reading. 

The purpose of Read-In Week 2013 is to create a greater awareness of the importance of reading. So not only as mom but also a former teacher I know the importance of reading relating to confidence and school performance.  I read aloud to my children all the time and I make sure they see me reading all kinds of different texts.  And it has become a tradition that mom reads a bed time story to everyone.  Sometimes one at a time or all three together.  We make regular trips to the library and our own library grows at home. 

 

Does your city have a Read-In Week?  Have you participated in reading in a classroom?  I would love to hear about your experience and what books you read.  You can also check out my Pinterest Boards for kids and my own personal board of books I would like to read. Keep calm and keep on reading!