March is reading month

Written by: Emily Peters '12

March is Reading Month is something that every high school student remembers from elementary school. Having to read for what seemed liked forever, and having your teacher read to you during class. The teachers in the lower grade levels wanted to help the children enjoy reading and to make it more interesting.

Many of the teachers contacted Mrs. Brantley about having high school students come to classrooms to read to the students. Brantley, the advisor of National Honor Society, wanted to get high school students involved in reading to the elementary level students. If an older student can show that reading is fun, it may have a bigger impact. “Having NHS students as role models can inspire the students to want to read can help them in their future,” Brantley says.

Last year was the first year that NHS was involved in reading to the younger children. Many high school students went to the lower level schools and enjoyed their time there. “I loved my experience because it was really fun to see the younger kids get excited about having high school students spend time with them,” says Megan Kelly, ‘12. “I felt like I was being a good role model for them.” Last year NHS took personalized bookmarks to the students they read to.

“Having high school students participate in activities within the lower grades can not only have an impact on the elementary students, but on the volunteers as well,” Brantley says. Last year NHS took personalized bookmarks to the students they read to, but this year they are taking pencils and erasers.  NHS is going to classrooms throughout the month of March.

March is Reading Month is a great way for teachers and older students to help the elementary students to enjoy and love reading. “It’s important for younger generations to enjoy reading because it encourages kids to think for themselves, use their imaginations, and explore new worlds,” Kelly says. Last year NHS received dozens of letters from students and teachers alike thanking them for reading in their classrooms. Having older students to look up to impacts how the elementary level students feel about reading and learning.