by Diane Chinen
As the end of the school year approaches, we reflect on three successful RIF experiences which involved intermediate students and parents reading to children (Grades K to 4). An essential component appears to be the reader meetings during which principal Marian Holokai and COHORT Lorelei Karasaki dealt with shared reading strategies, techniques and current information. Reading rehearsal was encouraged before actually reading with the children. Photos, mostly taken by Kindergarten teachers, convey the intensity and joy of these shared reading experiences.
The children's' reactions were extremely positive. Emergent and early readers
were awed by intermediate students coming over to read to them! Students
enjoyed "sharing" their parents and /or family members as small reading groups
were formed.
Intermediate students found enthusiastic and attentive groups of young children eager to listen to them! Intermediate teachers Shari Chan, Lei Cunningham, and Pua Higa, who sent their intermediate students to read, were thereafter bombarded by request to continue the positive experience of reading.
An important result of RIF is increased friendliness between elementary and intermediate students. many Kindergartners report seeing their "big brother/sister" and being thrilled to exchange `hi's.
Parents and teachers saw the value of RIF and reading in the light of evolving and continuing life skills. For the children, the fact that their parents or family members came to read to them is definitely special and will be long remembered! The value of reading was confirmed by their parents' presence in the classroom.
RIF was a huge success because of the Waimanalo School community pitching in with the belief that anyone an be a reader! This is the ultimate goal of family literacy and Natural Language Learning. Anyone--and everyone--can read! This is the gift that can be shared--inexpensive, but valuable all the same. To share reading with loved ones is very precious, because you are giving the gift of yourself. The children's enthusiasm and hunger for reading is like a flame. As teachers, we see it in the eyes of our students daily. During the summer months ahead, we urge you to continue what R.I.F. has started. Keep the flame alive: Read!