Tuesday, June 21 2011 @ 12:02 PM EDT
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I read stories, tell jokes, play guitar and sing with the children. It’s always a good feeling. I had a health scare, and the children and I saw the funny side of it, which helped me greatly. Reading books with incredible illustrations and stories exposes children to two art forms. When you read with drama, that adds a third art form. When I play guitar and sing, there’s two more. That’s five art forms in an art starved education system. It’s got to help! BookPAL Jeff Mason, Apopka
They cheer when I walk into the classroom every week because they know for the next 30 minutes, they will be taken on a ride by the storytelling, and that is an invitation for their imagination and playfulness to be present. The stories always have a positive message thread, messages that are relatable to the grade I read to, and so we talk about them, and I ask for their opinions about what the characters should or should not do. It’s a very interactive process, yet there are no pictures—just me reading them a story, which taps into their playfulness, their intuition, and often their need to see and hear right from wrong. It’s just darn fun! I have a ball every week, and have for 9 years now. ~BookPAL Wendy Michaels, Miami
Participating in BookPALS has become a central part of my life. This is such vital work. Each year, I see the light bulbs turn on as student after student lets me know what books they are reading and recounts story after story that I have previously shared with them. I enjoy BookPALS, Junior BookPALS, and PencilPALS very much, and I see so much value in all of these programs. I wish I could afford to travel to more schools throughout the year. ~BookPAL Bill Cordell, Ocoee
One reading led to another until I found myself reading to every class at Red Bug Lake Elementary, from Kindergarten to 5th grade! Teaching has been my love almost as long as being an actress. I use each reading as a learning tool and ask lots of comprehension questions. I look at every experience as a learning opportunity and try to communicate that to the children through the books I choose. ~BookPAL Shari Douglas, Winter Springs
It is extremely rewarding to read letters from student PencilPALS. Just taking a few minutes out of my life to read a short book and write about it means so much to these children. I find myself waiting with great anticipation for their response letters to find out if they, too, enjoyed the books we’ve chosen to read. I find myself talking to friends and co-workers about this experience. I recently watched the video of the PencilPALS teacher in Arizona. If anyone ever needs testimony to prove the value of this program, that video is it! ~PencilPAL Marlene Young, Orlando
At the beginning of the school year, each student promises to read at least one book per week as my BookPAL. I love their excitement when they proudly show, without my prompting, what they are reading. Then there is the kindergartner who proudly declares that he/she is a reader who not only looks at the pictures, but also reads along with me. ~BookPAL LeRoy Mitchell, Tampa
PencilPALS is a wonderful program. I thoroughly enjoy reading and writing to students. Each has his/her own unique way of expressing their interests. Being a PencilPAL requires reading books that I typically would not read and writing in a way I do not write at work, so it keeps me young and on my toes! Everyone needs an outside resource with whom to share thoughts, feelings, experiences, etc. BookPALS and PencilPALS are great resources for elementary students. I have written to three students in two years. The skill level of each student was different, but I saw a noticeable improvement in their writing from the beginning to the end of the school year. I believe the children know that someone cares about them and believes in them because of these programs. ~PencilPAL Lisa Derryberry, Jacksonville
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