Fostering a love of reading begins at a young age, and what better way to accomplish this than by listening to stories being read. Third grade students at the Bnos Malka Academy are part of a reading program where, once a month, they visit the preschool students and read stories to them.
The third grade students enjoy taking the lead and reading stories to the younger students. It is a chance for them to practice many skills, such as reading aloud and with expression, and answering questions. The younger students enjoy being read to by a “big kid” and have a great time learning new things and hearing stories.
Michael Salzbank, Bnos Malka Executive Director, commented, “There are many valuable outcomes from this program. Obviously, it develops skills for the older children and fosters a love of reading for the younger children. But it is so much more. The third graders are filled with pride, with purpose as “mini-teachers.” Some even read with a theatrical flair. For the school it strengthens the sense of achdus and caring about each other.”
