Penn-Trafford’s Media Literacy class and Student Union are working together to make reading fun for kids. High School students involved will read aloud books they selected for each elementary grade during the event on March 4.
Media Literacy sponsor Brittney Falk said the class and Student Union will be traveling to the five elementary schools in the district. They will spend one hour at each school.
For kindergarten through fourth grade, high schoolers will read short stories and picture books. Fifth graders will be read the first chapter of a chapter book.
“We leave the kids on a cliffhanger so that they will hopefully read the rest of the book later on,” Falk stated.
Student Union advisor Stephanie Martini stated that high school students participating in Read Across America inspire the elementary school students to read. The seniors in the Student Union take seniority on whether they want to go, then juniors and so on.
The elementary students look up to the high school students, so seeing them have fun reading encourages them to read. The high schoolers love spending time with the little kids, Martini stated.
Read Across America not only benefits elementary students but benefits the high school students too. The high school students are in an environment where they get to teach someone. This is great for students who want to pursue a career in teaching.
Read Across America has been going on for a long time. During COVID, however, there was no Read Across America. Martini stated that after COVID hit, Read Across America reset and has been going on ever since.
“I love getting to spend time with the little kids and seeing them enjoy reading after spending my time with high schoolers all day,” Martini stated.
By: Mackenzie Cameron