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    Killin elementary encourages literacy

    Killin Elementary encourages literacy

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Terence Brady | Teachers with E.C. Killin Elementary School act out a part of the book “Frindle”...... read more read more

    CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

    10.04.2012

    Story by Pfc. Terence Brady 

    III Marine Expeditionary Force   

    CAMP FOSTER, Japan - Students and their families participated in a literacy night event with teachers and faculty at the E.C. Killin Elementary School gymnasium at Camp Foster Oct. 4.

    While children frequently have opportunities to read at school, it can be very difficult to find the time to read with their families. E.C. Killin Elementary is making strides to fix that problem.

    The event was organized to bring students and parents together and promote the school’s new “One School, One Book” program, a school-wide book club in which families are all given the same book and asked to read a chapter at their home nightly during October.

    “Reading aloud at home is valuable because it better prepares your child to be an effective reader,” said E.C. Killin Principal Reynaldo Toquero. “‘Children benefit from listening to material that is beyond their own reading level. Parents play an instrumental role by reading that material out loud to their children.”

    “Marines spend a lot of time away from home,” said Staff Sgt. Leon R. Hatcher, a supply administration and operations specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 4, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “It’s good because I get to read (with) my kids after coming back from deployment.”

    The program was conceived earlier this year by the school’s faculty, who collaborated with parents to plan literacy night, a kick-off event for the book club. Volunteers distributed copies of the book “Frindle” to each family, asking students and parents to read together for about 15 minutes each night.

    “The teachers did a lot of work to get the books and organize the program,” said Toquero.

    The parent-teacher organization provided funding to purchase the books.

    “The event had a very good turnout,” said Chief Warrant Officer Bryan N. Collver, a finance officer with 3rd MLG, III MEF. “My son was very enthusiastic about the event, and I hope he’s excited about the program too.”

    School administrators brought families together in an assembly to explain the purpose of the book club.

    “This program will improve family bonding and show that families can spend time to read together,” said Michelle Jones, the school’s assistant principal. “We are working together as a community to accomplish this goal.”

    During the literacy night event, teachers acted out the story in front of the audience as the parents read along with their children.

    “The whole school is going to read this book,” said Aden J. Leggil, a fourth-grade student at the school. “I like that because I’m looking forward to talking about it with the class.”

    Volunteers read the book in both English and Japanese to show the audience the cultural differences between the two adaptations of the story.

    “Tonight was a good opportunity to hear the book from the Japanese perspective,” said Kaoru Uza, a culture teacher for the school. “Today, I hope the children will be introduced to more Japanese culture.”

    Educators ultimately hope the literacy night event and book club serve as a launching pad for students to develop a pattern of reading.

    “Our vision is that everyone can be lifelong readers,” said Toquero. “We hope to show families that learning is a lifelong event and Marines can use this program to continue reading to their children.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.04.2012
    Date Posted: 10.11.2012 01:43
    Story ID: 95971
    Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP

    Web Views: 131
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN