Reading stories to children is not as easy as it looks so Spencerport elementary school librarians Pam Valenti and Carolyn Villeneuve developed a detailed tip sheet and held a reading workshop for Cosgrove Middle School students. The students are part of Read2Kids, a new program developed by Cosgrove Middle School librarian Howard Enis. Following the workshop, a group of Cosgrove students went to Munn and Taylor Elementary Schools, picked out books from the library, and read to the first-grade classes, using the lessons they learned from Valenti and Villeneuve. Valenti and Villeneuve visited 36 Cosgrove Library Club members who are participating in Read2Kids. During the after school Read2Kids workshop in December, Valenti and Villeneuve talked about presentation skills: how to hold a book, how to read the book and how to choose a book that young children will like. Villeneuve told the students, "Young kids like pattern books, where things are repeated a lot. A pattern book is a good way to get children involved." She also suggested they read in a low-pitched voice because it is easier to listen to, and more soothing. Enis says the 36 students who signed up for Read2Kids are excited about it. The program supports the English Language Arts learning standards. "It's a two-way street," he said. "Our middle school students are developing better reading skills and the younger children are being read to. The more reading, the better." |
