CCS celebrates Read Across America Day
Published 1:49 pm Friday, March 1, 2019
Chilton County Schools Superintendent Jason Griffin reads to students at Isabella High School. (JOYANNA LOVE/ADVERTISER)
Kevin Bolding reads “Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?” to students at Maplesville High School.
Pastor James Watkins of West End Baptist Church reads to students at Isabella High School.
IHS students in Mrs. Davis’ kindergarten class listen to “Green Eggs and Ham” read by Pastor James Watkins.
Haley Carroll reads “Green Eggs and Ham” to her students as they eat green eggs and ham.
Students eat green eggs and ham and a cookie.
Karen Watkins reads to students at Isabella High School.
Patsy Ratliff reads an excerpt form “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon reads to students at Isabella High School.
C.J. Robinson, chief assistant district attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit, reads to students at Isabella High School.
The Cat in The Hat visited Maplesville for Read Across America Day. (JOYANNA LOVE/ADVERTISER)
By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer
Chilton County Schools celebrated Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 1.
Several community leaders visited schools to read their favorite book. For many, reading to the students is an annual event.
C.J. Robinson, chief assistant district attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit, said he reads at a different school each year.
This time, he was at Isabella High School. He chose “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.”
Robinson said this book had fewer tongue-tying words than some of Seuss’ other books.
The variety of animals is what appeals to him about the book.
“I tell the kids I need their help to explain the book to me, and they are never shy about that,” Robinson said.
He asked students what their favorite animal in the story was. Some said the camel. Some said a particular fish.
“I am going to have to say the new fish,” Robinson said, explaining that he and his wife are expecting their second child in June.
The best part of participating for him “is to see them excited about reading,” Robinson said.
“I see so many that make bad choices as they get older,” Robinson said. “Seeing the children excited about reading, excited about learning … it’s encouraging to see good in our community.”
Pastor James Watkins of West End Baptist Church began reading to students when his wife Karen was a teacher. Karen Watkins has since retired, and both were at IHS reading on March 1.
James Watkins chose “The Cat and The Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham” to read to students.
“When I was a student, I just fell in love with Dr. Seuss,” James Watkins said.
He said he chose “The Cat and The Hat” because the mischievousness of The Cat and how entertaining the book is.
“It just keeps me on the edge of what’s coming next,” James Watkins said.
His favorite part of “Green Eggs and Ham” is when Sam finally tries the unique food.
James Watkins said he enjoys reading to students at their school because it gives him a chance to “walk into their environment and be on their level with them.”
Karen Watkins chose “Yurtle the Turtle” to read during the event.
“I love rhyming words and Dr. Seuss, but also ‘Yurtle the Turtle’ also has a very good lesson for children about not being selfish and being compassionate for others,” Karen Watkins said.
Her favorite part is when students pick up on the rhyming words and understand the message of the story.
At Maplesville High School, veterinarian Kevin Bolding chose “Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?” to read to students.
He told the class that he had some difficulty reading as a child, but Dr. Seuss books were some of those he read while learning to read well.
MHS students had a special treat waiting in the library as The Cat in the Hat read to them.
In Haley Carroll’s class, second-grade students ate eggs dyed green with food coloring and ham as they listened to her read the story.
The official National Education Association Read Across America Day is March 2, which was the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.
