Reading at Robb
LHU
students, faculty and staff read to elementary children
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. -
The students, faculty and staff of Lock Haven University
of Pennsylvania (LHU) helped Robb Elementary students
enjoy a good book on Wednesday as part of the Robb's
annual observance of Read Across America.
The students listened to
a wide variety of readers affiliated with LHU, from
Dr. Keith T. Miller, university president, to Jim
Dempsey, a recreation management major and track and
field standout.
Miller read "Tacky the
Penguin," by author Helen Lester, to Angela Madden's
first grade class, and donated the book to the class
after his reading. Madden said the experience is
invaluable for the children.
"This kind of contact is
really important," Madden said. "It's a nice connection
between the community and the college. The kids were
very excited when they learned the president of the
university was coming. I think some of them were
thinking it was like having the president of the United
States come to class."
For Miller, the
experience is not just something that benefits the
children, but the adults who volunteer to read.
"The school is a place
where everyone learns," Miller said. "Not only do the
children learn through these experiences, but so do the
adults who are volunteering. Through these kinds of
activities, where the entire community participates, the
results can only be positive."
As Miller was finishing
up reading to the first-graders, athlete Dempsey was
preparing to read "Outback Adventure: Australian
Vacation," by author Kate McLeod, to Frances Kramer's
fourth-graders.
"I wanted to get some
community time in and help out the team," Dempsey said,
noting that the track and field team was helping out as
a group. "I just wanted to do this for the fun of it,
and it was a good time. I really enjoyed the kids."
Aaron Russell, the
assistant track and field coach and head cross country
coach at LHU, said around 10 to 12 of his athletes came
to read, some of whom are education majors.
"It's important for our
team," said Russell, who also read to the children. "We
just finished up a few community events, and this is
just another way to get our team out there and get
involved."
With the athletes in the
middle of mid-term exams, participation in Read Across
America was a good break from the stress, he said.
Among the readers was
Sharon Taylor, LHU athletic director.
"I explained to the
children that in my job, I got paid to go to games and
to work with sports," Taylor said. "I asked how many
liked sports. Every hand went up."
Taylor told the children
one of her favorite things to do, perhaps even more than
being involved in sports, was reading. The students were
less enthusiastic when she asked them how many liked to
read. About two-thirds of the students responded
favorably, Taylor said.
"I hope programs like
this one, with us going in and talking about books and
reading, would encourage them to read and to love to
read," she said. "I told them that reading would
ultimately take them to many more exciting adventures in
their lives than would sports."
Having the athletes say
the same message to the children made a greater
impression on the elementary students since children
look up to the athletes, Taylor said.
"I think that's the value
of this program," she added.
Carol Liddick,
associate professor of special and early child education
at LHU who helped organize the event, said there were
around 130 volunteers this year with a large
representation from the university.
"I think LHU needs to be
a model for education for our children in the
community," Liddick said. "This puts faculty, staff and
students out there with children."
Perhaps the children will
remember the experience with readers from LHU and think
of attending school there some day, she said.
"Plus, it puts us all
back in touch as to what is really important in life,"
Liddick said. "Many of our readers come back and tell me
about the wonder in the eyes of the children listening
to a story. What a wonderful time in life. We all grow
from sharing with the children, and it is fantastic when
so many people respond to the request for readers."
As part of Read Across
America, books were furnished to the Robb through a
grant from First Quality Products, the Lock Haven
University Alumni Board, the LHU Foundation and the Lock
Haven Community Foundation, Liddick said, adding that
over 500 books have been given away since the start of
the program three years ago. Jan Srock, Robb principal,
was very pleased with the activities.
"The day was fabulous,"
Srock said. "The readers had great activities to go
along with the books, and the teachers commented that
the selection of books as gifts were awesome."