Library, schools have day for Dr. Seuss

PEOPLE OF ALL AGES in Elkridge are working together creatively to help youngsters read.

On Tuesday, 13 pupils from Elkridge Landing Middle School read to 50 younger children in a "Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss" celebration at the Elkridge Library.

The event was organized by Sharon Unger, the children's librarian. Unger wanted to create an engaging activity for children on "Read Across America Day," sponsored by the National Education Association.

The library has partnerships with Elkridge Elementary School and Elkridge Landing Middle School. The schools sponsor a Partners at Learning (PAL) program, in which older students teach younger ones to read.

Unger asked the middle school's media specialist, Alfreda Martino, and reading teacher Michelle Howard to bring pupils to the library.

Howard coordinates the middle school's PAL program. At least two afternoons a week, 22 PAL volunteers walk across the parking lot to the elementary school to meet with second-graders. Each volunteer works with two second-graders.

Then they ride school buses home with the younger pupils.

PAL volunteers Amber Babcock, Erica Bouchat, Alexis De Angelis, Priscilla Evans, Ciara Handy, Brandon Hutcherson, Heather Neiman, Amanda Witmer, Pam Cunningham and Toni Johnson came to the library on Tuesday.

Other Elkridge Landing pupils came, too. Patrick Baker, Cherice Dew and Argie Hajiantoni were there. Librarian's assistant Ronnie Baker and her nephew, first-grader Mark Grant, came too.

Older pupils were decked out for the event, sporting red-and-white striped felt hats. Many had tied red ribbons around their necks.

Middle schoolers helped younger participants make striped hats by gluing red and white paper together. They glued cutouts of eggs with green yolks and a slice of green ham onto paper plates, and asked the elementary students about some of Dr. Seuss' classic books.

Sixth-grader Heather Neiman, who was helping a young reader answer questions about "Green Eggs and Ham," said she enjoyed "working with the kids" and "can tell they learned something."

Sixth-graders Brandon Hutcherson and Patrick Baker read "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back" to a group of 10 preschool children who sat or lay quietly on the floor.

One young boy with an angelic expression rested his chin on his palms, eyes closed.

As the middle schoolers finished reading, Brandon shook the boy gently. "Wake up," he said softly, "time to do crafts."

Howard credited Carole Spranklin, reading specialist at Elkridge Elementary, with originating the PAL program at the elementary school four years ago. At that time, only 23 percent of third-grade pupils passed the reading portion of the MSPAP test.

The School Improvement Team directed the staff to give the children individual attention to help them learn to read and write.

Instructional assistants were freed from clerical tasks and sent into the classrooms. Parent volunteers were recruited.

Spranklin recruited children to teach others to read.

She paired fourth-graders with first-graders, and fifth-graders with kindergartners. She trained the older children in basic reading strategies.

This year, 55 pupils applied and were accepted into Spranklin's PAL program. They give up their recess period at least three days a week to help their younger partners.

Spranklin received grants to buy books for all levels of reading. She trained other reading specialists in Howard County in the PAL program.

This year, Anita Feintuch, an instructional assistant at Elkridge Elementary, recruited 16 grandparents and community members by placing notices in school and church bulletins. The volunteers come to the school once or twice a week to read aloud to individuals and small groups.

Principal Diane Mumford says their efforts have made a difference that she can measure with the school's MSPAP results.

In 1998, 57 percent of third-graders passed the reading portion of the test.

To volunteer, call the principal at 410-313-5006.

This spring, library staff members will visit schools to promote a summer reading program and encourage children to use the library.

Phil Lord, chief librarian at the Elkridge Branch, says the library's programs are intended to bring books into young children's lives.

Information: 410-313-5077.

Gift of reading

Ilchester Elementary School's PTSA expanded its "Give the Gift of Reading" book drive last year.

Led by parent Kathy Tomaszewski, PTSA volunteers collected, wrapped and delivered 665 books to students at Thomas Johnson Elementary School in Baltimore before Christmas.

Tomaszewski said she realized that owning a book is a luxury for some students. She suggested that the school continue its book drive through January. And she wrote to other schools inviting them to participate.

Ilchester collected another 363 books; Atholton Elementary collected 1,316 books; Manor Woods Elementary collected 1,100; and several students from Mayfield Woods Middle School contributed 60 books.