South Seneca Elementary Reading Incentive Theme 2011-2012
“Reading Magic” is South Seneca Elementary’s reading incentive theme this year! Each student received a reading t-shirt that is worn once a month, creating a feeling of community while celebrating reading.
South Seneca Elementary School Creates a Culture of Literacy with Family
Reading Partnership
Creating a culture of literacy, a passion for reading and enjoyment of books is
one of elementary principal, Margarete Couture’s favorite projects. FRP is a
non-profit community organization, based near Ithaca, NY that promotes early
literacy. From pregnancy, birth and infancy, FRP encourages parents to read to
their children. With only 39% of families reading to their children regularly,
20% of students are arriving at school having never been read to and don’t have
the desire to hear a favorite story or enjoy books. Through many generous
sponsors, FRP has been able to offer deeply discounted, highly sought after
books to area schools, which end up in the hands of excited students to enjoy.
Noted author, Mem Fox’ book, “The Magic Hat” will be given to each Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st
and 2nd grade student, to enjoy. The ‘MAGIC OF READING’ is the theme
of both South Seneca’s Reading Incentive Program and FRP’s annual “Kids'
Bookfest’. Each South Seneca student will receive a 'Magic of Reading' t-shirt.
On the monthly reading incentive special days at South Seneca, all students and
staff will sport their new t-shirts, creating a sense of community and
celebrating the 'Magic of Reading'! Mrs. Couture states, “the partnership with
Family Reading Partnership is unique because all students receive the books.
This encourages a community connection between children and families over
special books. My hope is that families will read the stories over and over
again, enjoying the bond created from the magic of reading."
A favorite book, recently given to each Pre-K, Kindergarten and First Grade student, is “Love Those Letters”, written by local author, Katherine Morse. The book includes a CD with read aloud and letter lessons and a DVD of the catchy new alphabet song with dance and ideas for parents to support literacy. South Seneca teachers appreciate the curriculum supportive flashcards, big book, game materials and CD and use them daily. Heather Goldberg, South Seneca first grade teacher comments, "I use the flashcards at the end of my guided reading groups. We’ve used the match game as well. The alphabet chart is in each student’s writing workshop folder and we have taught them how to use these daily when trying to write the sounds they hear in words they are trying to spell."
