Different Generations Share Love For Reading

For the past three years, senior readers fromhave been assisting teachers by reading with first grade students at .  First graders get to spend time with a senior reading to them, being read to, talking about the story or practicing sight words.  Together, great progress has been made with all of the first graders as they learn to become independent readers. 

There are five first grade classrooms and each has two to three volunteers. The volunteers come once a week and spend about one hour in the class. Some of the seniors will even bring in their favorite books to share with the young students.  Some of the volunteers are retired teachers and others just enjoy their time spent with the young folks. 

Senior readers work with all different reading levels from those who need extra assistance to those who are accelerated readers.  Each child benefits from the relationship that develops with their senior readers.  They look forward to their visit each week because it is a time for them to have the attention focused on themselves and the skill they are working so very diligently on in first grade: reading.   

 Having one-on-one time is not only enjoyable for the children but also for the seniors.  Many of the seniors meet with the same children each week while others rotate and get to spend time with various students.  The seniors seem very comfortable with the program and many return each year, some even asking to be in the same classroom.  They have a routine when they come into the classroom and they feel important and valued in the classroom by both the students they work with and the teachers.

First grade teacher, Libby VanDerMaelen, explains, “I have loved my senior readers. Pat McGrath comes every Monday.  She is a former teacher herself and will bring books from the library as well as work with student’s blue box books and sight words.  She seems to have lots of fun and will stay over her time if she feels that the child wants to keep reading.”

Right now, seniors only meet with first graders because this is the year when students are becoming independent readers and is extremely beneficial to them to have someone listening to them as they read or being read to. Actively engaging students in the deciphering of words, summarizing a paragraph or understanding context clues allows the students to become not only stronger readers but more aware of their own learning.  Pride and a sense of accomplishment are direct results of time spent actively involved in guided reading.  If enough volunteers were available, this type of program may open to second graders next year.

Seniors are introduced to the program through Canoe Brook.  In the beginning of the year an orientation is held, picture ID cards are made and seniors are introduced to the class and teacher they will be working with throughout the year.  Seniors must be able to provide their own transportation to and from Murphy School. Students in turn must have a signed permission slip to partake in this extra reading time.

One thing that is very clear to teachers, is how much their students look forward to this time with their senior readers.  Learning to read is not a simple task but having undivided attention certainly allows students to engage more and become independent, strong readers.