Goodrich ? Alan Kamieniecki, 9, holds the Dr. Seuss book so 4-year-old Evan Bierkamp can see it.
‘New socks, Two socks, Whose socaks?? says Alan, turning the pages.
Evan sits cross-legged on the floor, pointing at the pictures. He wiggles closer to the book, squealing with delight.
‘Sue’s sewing her dress,? he says, laughing out loud.
Alan, part of Wayne Wilson’s Oaktree Elementary fourth-grade class, is a ‘Reading Buddy?. Each week, he and his classmates line up and shuffle down the hall to Linda Giza’s preschool class to team up with little ones and read. Girls in pink dresses, tights, and Mary Janes jump up to get their next book ready for an older girl to read.
Megan Manarino, in a tot-sized seat, shyly eyes the Dr. Seuss book. A hands-on book of textures captures her attention. As Kaitlin Stowers, 9, turns the pages, Megan traces a velvet heart with her fingers.
Occasionally preschoolers turn the tables and ‘read? to older children, said Giza, who saw the program begin five years ago.
‘We started it with the other teacher to promote reading during March, Reading Month,? she said.
‘Every Wednesday they read to the preschoolers for 10 or 20 minutes,? said Wilson. ‘It’s the (preschoolers?) choice. Right now most are reading Dr. Seuss stuff.?
Preschoolers and fourth-graders alike seem to enjoy their Reading Buddies status.
‘They ask every day, ‘Are the Reading Buddies coming today?? said Giza. ‘They love it.?