Like schools throughout the world, students at Hunter’s Creek Elementary School participated in World Read Aloud Day, March 2. Rather than sit and listen in a classroom, pre-kindergarten through second grade classes experienced the book walking through the school’s butterfly garden.
In a joint effort with the Orange County Library System, Winter Garden Branch, students enjoyed a StoryWalk of “A Good Night Walk/ Un paseo de noche” by Elisha Cooper.
StoryWalks* encourage people to enjoy reading and the outdoors. The pages of the book to be read are mounted to stakes or foam board and systematically placed throughout a trail.
Being a Two Way Dual Language Program, the school was excited to have a book available in English and Spanish. Having the pages side by side, students could experience the walk in their primary language, as well as a secondary.
Classes cycled through in 15 minute intervals and even the LaunchED@Home students participated, as teachers brought their laptops and faced the camera outwards for students to see and hear the story being read.
“What I loved most about this experience for our students was the excitement, joy and light I saw in their eyes while they listened to the story and made their way through the pages of the book,” Andrea Parisi, HCES media specialist, said. “Some of our native Spanish speakers gave me very telling facial reactions to my attempted correct pronunciation of the Spanish version of the story. They gave me a rating of pretty good on some pages and came right out to say that others were difficult to listen to, while trying not to hurt my feelings. I promised to keep practicing to improve my reading and told them that I look forward to their assistance in helping me to learn and grow."
*The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.