Libraries: High School

A Day to Celebrate Reading

by Renee Popejoy

April 26, 2007

2007 Great American Read Aloud

April 18, 2007 marked the 17^th annual celebration of "The Great American Read-Aloud" hosted by the Library Media Center of Northeast High School. Each year during National Library Week, libraries across the United States celebrate reading in schools and communities by hosting read-aloud events for students of all ages to celebrate the importance of reading in our schools and daily life

The morning of April 18, students at Northeast Elementary in classes Pre-K through 5^th grade were read stories by seniors from NEHS. Each class had two readers that read for 10 – 20 minutes. The students used props and interactive introductions to engage the students in their stories.

These seniors are Miranda Anselmi, Kylie Bedene, Corey Barone, Jordin Crystal, Mindy Davied, Ryan Hribar, Tyler Parcel, Shawn LaSota, Sam Tiner and Karl Wicker. Bookmarks and bibliography lists bearing this year's theme of "Come Together @ your library" were presented to the classroom teachers for students to enjoy. Each class was also presented with a poster shaped like a puzzle piece to tie in the theme as well.

“I was surprised at the level of interaction from the 1^st graders I read to”, said Anselmi. “Their enthusiasm was a highlight of my day.”

Selections for the classes were made from approximately 50 books chosen by Linda Roberts, Library Media Specialist, working in cooperation with the Children’s Services department of Pittsburg Public Library and the Arma Public Library. Prior to the event, Roberts discussed tips for reading aloud to help prepare the students for working with their younger audience. Of these tips, practicing was by far the most stressed. “Preparation is the key to a relaxed and rewarding experience for both the reader and the audience“, said Roberts.

The afternoon session turned the tables as high school students became the audience. Members of the junior class as well as senior readers were treated to a read aloud of their own in the high school LMC from 1:30 – 3:10. Guest readers were Julie Jones, English education major from PSU; FOX 14 news personality Michael Hayslip; Andra Bryan Stephanoni, freelance writer; and NEHS instructors Brian Smith, English department and Kathy Hall, gifted education.

“Julie’s obvious enjoyment of the Dave Barry selections she read really cracked us up”, said juniors Amber Beacham and Emily Kuhel. “She really held our attention.”