Today, March 2, is “National Read Across America Day.”
I wish it were Tuesday, because that’s the day I normally go into a school in Schenectady, New York, and read to a couple of students to help them with their reading skills. I volunteer with a local group called Reading is Fun (formerly known as Reading is Fundamental).
Volunteers go into schools in Schenectady, an inner-city school district from which both of my now-adult children graduated, and work with children whose reading skills may be slightly behind grade level. At the beginning of the year, teachers evaluate reading levels for individual students and select those who might need a little help. RIF supplies us with donated books; at the end of each session, we give the students a book to take home so that they can start building their own libraries.
For the first five years of volunteering with this group, I was in a first-grade classroom with the same teacher. I couldn’t believe how much this teacher worked, both individually and on an overall basis, with her class. She was strict and loving at the same time. She assigned students to me who didn’t have anyone at home who was reading with them.
My first student was a basketball fan. He loves LeBron James. We met in the school library to read. He noticed a chapter book about LeBron on the librarian’s desk and told me he wanted to read that one. I had to tell him that it was way too advanced for his reading level. I told him he would have to write his own story about LeBron. The following week, I brought in several newspaper articles about LeBron, read them to him, and had him tell me facts from those articles. I wrote them down on a legal pad as he parroted the words back to me. The following week, I brought him a typed version of the “book” he’d “written,” complete with a bio of him and a few photos of LeBron James I’d downloaded from the Internet. He brought it home to his parents, and they were floored. I told him that if he continued to read and practice, it would only be a matter of time before he could read that chapter book about LeBron.
I was assigned to a different school during the pandemic. We were reading over the school computer system. I picked up books from the RIF library and dropped them off at my student’s house in his mailbox. Then we both signed on to Zoom simultaneously. This student was living with his grandmother because his mother was staying with his brother at a hospital, as his brother was dealing with childhood cancer. This student loved books about FlyGuy. We did a lot of reading together, despite the fact that it had to use the computer to do it.
To be honest, I don’t know who gets more out of this–the students or me. If I have to miss a week due to a doctor’s appointment or a conference (I went to one last week), I really miss them.
Now all the other students want to work with me as well–even those who are terrific readers. They could be reading to their fellow students as well as I can. But somehow, they seem to like a seventy-five-year old grandmother who trudges up two flights of stairs every week to bring them books and reads with them.
You can’t beat it.
How rewarding it must be to help others learn the joy of reading!
How rewarding it must be to teach someone the joy of reading!
Hi, Wanda,
Kids with reading disabilities learn the most when they have a teacher who is really into reading, and they are really into reading. Not only that, you have not lost your childlike love for life. The kids feel like you are one of them because that childlikeness comes from your soul and is a precious gift many adults lose.
No wonder they all want to learn from you. They relate to you and see you as one of them, although you are older than them, and you can consider that an honor.
I think you and the kids are learning from each other.
I am proud of you.
Shalom shalom
Hi, Wanda,
I wrote a long comment and it didn’ post or it is in your spam mail. Please let me know and I will write the post again.
Thank you.
Shalom shalom
Wanda,
You’re dong a fantastic thing by helping those children. The more they learn to like reading, the better the education they will receive. That is a very selfless and caring thing. I salute you.
Hi, Wanda,
How rewarding it must be to help someone learn to read and to infuse them with a love of reading! You’re literally changing the lives of the kids you mentor. What a joy for them and for you. I love how you helped that young man write his own story of LeBron James. You sparked his creativity with that one, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a writer. You did that! Kudos! May you derive much joy and satisfaction from the gift you’re giving those kids.
Blessings!
Patty
Hi Wanda. What a great thing to do. I’m currently spending time with my granddaughter and surprised that a five-year-old already recognizes certain words. In fact, my wife and I can’t spell out things anymore because she’ll say them shortly afterward after thinking about it. It’s a shame that older kids still have problems reading, through no fault of their own. I blame the parents for not having the time. If a child needs help because of a disability, there is always help available. Just seek it out! Great job, Wanda!
Wanda, what a wonderful thing you are doing helping those children with reading and giving them so much to be inspired and encouraged by. Youa re really making a difference! Kudos to you and I’ll enjoy following your future posts.
Hi Maura Beth–Thinks for commenting. I’m new to this website (it’s been revamped by someone who’s an IT genius–I used to work with him), so I’m learning how to reply to comments.
Wanda, I got that same feeling when I was mentoring a group of middle school age children. The instructor noticed that they were jockeying for a seat next to me and she brought it up in one of the classes. I was floored. The students all told their parents about me and they couldn’t wait to meet me at a banquet awards dinner at the end of the program. I was close to retirement at that time and didn’t know if I would be good at working with children.
I admire your sense of being of service in your community. I admire you very much.
Have a wonderful day.
Hi Shirley–Thanks for your kind remarks. I go back to see the kids tomorrow. I hope the little guy I’ve been working with is in then. He’s been absent the last few times I’ve been there. He’s the sweetest little guy. I’ve missed working with him. When he’s not there, I get to choose someone else in the class. I’ve made a list!
Wanda,
I’m missing two comments one here, and I don’t see the blog I posted from yesterday on my mobile phone.
I’m a novice using this revamped website, Shirley. I’m glad to know you’re commenting.
Hi, Wanda! I admire all that you do for these kids. How awesome to give of yourself so freely to help those who need it most. Wonderful! And, I know why the kids love the 75-yr, old grandma who trudges up stairs with books for them to read – she offers them love, support and care that they may not be getting at home. Kudos to you! You’re such a champ in my eyes!