One in four children in America grow up not learning how to read, according to DoSomething.org. Also, two-thirds of children who cannot read proficiently by the end of fourth grade will end up in jail or on welfare.
Reading is absolutely essential in our lives today whether you're working a desk job or working a labor job. Due to the increasing numbers of children growing up without being able to read schools like Sunrise Elementary in Albany, Ore., are creating new ways to promote students to learn how to read.
On Thursday, March 3, Sunrise Elementary held a "Wild About Reading" luncheon in the school's cafeteria. The luncheon was held to congratulate students that had done all their reading for the week. The cafeteria was decorated in a wildlife theme and students were allowed to eat on the stage area in the cafeteria as well as the normal tables. Students came in three waves: kindergarten and fifth grade, first and fourth grade, and finally second and third grade.
Sunrise held a "Wild About Reading" event from February 5-26 where students were asked to read four or more nights of the week for 20-30 minutes and have the parents initial a sheet saying the child read. If they student reached the goal for the week they would receive a prize on Friday, and the students who read all 21 nights were invited to the luncheon.
"The reading challenge is focused on developing consistent reading routines at home," said Principal Jodi Smith. "We are very excited for the families that have made reading a part of their routine and the students that can celebrate that success at our Wildlife Safari Assembly."
Sunrise Elementary has been making steady improvements to help students learn how to read. The school is a host to the SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) program, which is a volunteer-based program in Oregon. Volunteers visit schools and spend an hour a week one-on-one with students and help students better their reading skills by reading stories aloud with them. On top of helping the students read SMART also provides the children with up to 14 new books that they can take home.
On top of the wildlife luncheon the wildlife safari will be at the school on Friday, March 4 for two assemblies with live animals for the students who earned it through completing their reading. In a day and age where more and more children are not learning to read Sunrise Elementary is pushing for new ways to promote reading for students.
At a glance: Sunrise Elementary held a "Wild About Reading" luncheon to congratulate their students on reading for the month of February. The reading follows the school's "Wild About Reading" event for the month which asked students to read four nights of the week and have the parents initial saying they did the reading.
Sunrise Elementary
SMART Reader
Sunrise Newsletter
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