MHS, IHS celebrate Read Across America

Published 4:39 pm Friday, March 2, 2018

By Joyanna Love

By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Read Across America Day, celebrating literacy and Dr. Seuss’ birthday, started on a sweet note in Chilton County.

On March 2, Maplesville High School students and faculty dressed as iconic Seuss characters and led elementary students in singing happy birthday in honor of the beloved author as they pushed carts full of cupcakes in a morning mini-parade.

Junior Kay McKenzie was dressed as Thing 5.

“I wanted to do it because I love the kids and making them laugh and seeing a smile on their face,” McKenzie said.

Senior Nathaniel Watson, who dressed as Thing 4, said it was fun to be a part of celebrating Dr. Seuss.

Reading specialist Gina Abbott said she liked being a K-12 school because the high school students can help with and participate in events.

Abbott and the literary team worked together to coordinate multiple events for the day.

The fun actually kicked-off on March 1 with “Hop on Popcorn” celebrating the book “Hop on Pop,” prepared by the Family and Consumer Science students.

Gina Riley’s second-grade class had set a goal of reading 114 books during the week.

Second-grader Caden Carlee said his favorite Dr. Seuss book was “‘Green Eggs and Ham’because it kind of teaches you to try something new.”

Second-grader Hanna Poe said this was her favorite also.

“It’s fun and teaches you a lesson to try things because you might like it.”

Reese Payne said her favorite was “Oh, The Places You will Go!” because its theme was “If you believe in yourself, you can go anywhere.”

Later in the day, community members came to read to students.

Isabella High School had visits from special readers throughout the day, including parents, community officials, retired teachers and high school students dressed as their favorite book characters.

IHS Counselor Jill Green said there was an emphasis this year to “do more of a celebration across the grade levels.”

She said having adults come read to the students demonstrates to them that reading is not just for children.

“I think it is important that our kids understand that reading is essential to being successful, no matter what career path they choose.”

High School student Isaac Graham chose to read “Journey Cake, Ho!” by Ruth Sawyer.

He said it was a book his dad had read to him when he was little. Graham said he thought it would “be cool to read to kids because my mom and dad always read to me.”

Eight-grade student Danielle Gilliland dressed as a caterpillar to read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle.

“I like going into the little kids’ room and making them laugh,” Gilliland said.

She said “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” was her favorite book when she was a child.

“It’s very entertaining, watching how it turns into a butterfly,” Gilliland said.

Former IHS English teacher Angie Sanderson came back to campus to join in the fun. She brought some of her favorite children’s books, including Aesop’s Fables, “The Wizard of Wallaby wallow” by Jack Kent and “The Monster at the End of this Book” by Jon Stone and Michael Smollin.

IHS parent Sheeri Williams read “Hark! A Shark!” from The Cat in the Hat Learning Library, which she had bought at the Sea Lab at Dauphin Island on vacation.

She said she loves reading and writing books.

Some of her favorite children’s books are “A Fly Went By” by Michael McClintock and “Fox in Socks” because of the tongue twisters. She said “A Fly Went By” also teaches a good lesson about not jumping to conclusions.

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