Classes give children a fun, early introduction into literacy

Children 3 and 4 years old chanted, "Bookworm Bob, Bookworm Bob, Bookworm Bob" in class Wednesday to coax him out of his hiding place.
    As part of the Bright Beginnings literacy program, the puppet Bookworm Bob helps children learn that reading is fun, and it's cool to be a bookworm.
    "I like to read and read and read and read," Bookworm Bob said.
    The children giggled and told Bob and their literacy teacher, Sandy Halling, that they also liked to read.
    Susannah Struzik is playing Bookworm Bob for the first time this year. She said at first she was nervous about performing well for the children, but now she is relaxed and enjoys portraying the lovable bookworm character.
     During his classroom visit, Bob helped children learn several book rules so they would know how to take care of their books and put them away in a safe place. Children also began learning about authors, illustrators and libraries. 
    While Halling read the children a book, she seamlessly incorporated a pedestrian safety lesson into the reading so the children could have fun while they learned important street safety tips. She also kept the children's attention by using several voices and talking about the pictures in the book.
    "She's an amazing storyteller," Struzik said. "The kids and I love to listen to her."
    In the book "Look Both Ways," a squirrel plays soccer and runs into the street to retrieve his soccer ball. Because he races out into the street without looking, he comes very close to being hit by bicycles and cars. This close call teaches him to stop and look both ways before crossing the street.
    After reading the book to the children, Halling told the class to stay on the sidewalk and not cross the street alone. The kids learned to cross the street with an adult and to always "stop, look and listen" before walking into the street.
    The children's second literacy class this week will use music to reinforce what they learned on Wednesday.
    "The goal is to encourage early literacy, reading and enjoying books," Halling said. "Music is another way to do this."
    Principal Mark Woofter said the school is using an animated literacy program this year that was developed by Jim Stone. This program, which focuses on movement and singing, will be integrated into the current curriculum to help children learn the alphabet, remember what they've learned and have fun. 
    "We want them to have a healthy start and also want them to see that school can be fun," Halling said.
    Halling said the children will be doing a lot of musical, physical and group activities in their literacy classes this year to make reading and learning exciting and memorable.
    "The more you get kids involved in moving, the more they'll remember," Halling said.
     Bright Beginnings is the center for early education services in USD 443, offering many programs from birth through kindergarten for more than 400 children. One of the center's main goals is to promote early literacy and prepare children for their next level of education. 
    "When they leave here, they're ready for kindergarten," Woofter said.  
    Children are tested for motor skills, concepts and language to determine if they are ready to advance to kindergarten. This includes knowing their colors and letters and demonstrating progress in social development, physical coordination and problem solving.
    Bright Beginnings utilizes several tools to help children grow and learn these necessary skills. Federal and state grants enable the school to offer children many ways to learn.
    Two computers are in every classroom, Woofter said, allowing children to use interactive software and learn computer skills at an early age.
    Both languages are represented in the classrooms because a new language is being introduced to some children in the school. In order to meet every child's needs and improve literacy, one English-speaking and one Spanish-speaking teacher are in every classroom.
    Twice a week, the children attend their literacy class. In addition, literacy events are offered one Saturday and one Sunday a month, said Woofter.
    The Bookworm Bob Literacy Bus will also be going out into the city's parks and playgrounds on Wednesdays during the school year to offer parent-child activities, storytelling and multimedia literacy lessons. 
   
Reach Cherise Forno at (620) 408-9931 or e-mail her at cherise.forno@dodgeglobe.com.