"Read Aloud"

When I first retired on September 1999 from my second career as a Factory Worker at Brown and Williamson I knew that I would have an abundance of time on my hands. I believe that I had read about the Rolling Reader Program, which was flourishing within the Bibb County School System at that time so I volunteered to become a Rolling Reader. Well, I enjoyed the opportunity to read to School Children so much that I have continued reading. Although the "Rolling Reader Chapter in Middle Georgia" is no longer in operation, I would encourage everyone who is concerned about education for the next generation of citizens to volunteer in the School of their choice.

In September of 1999 I read an article in Parade Magazine which focused on the book "Seaman - The Dog Who Explored the West With Lewis and Clark." I obtained the book and several weeks ago I started reading it again to some happy fifth graders as I have done for the previous six years. Additionally I also read two other books to other classes by Gail Langer Karwoski who resides in Oconee County, Georgia. She has several other books out, but I am very familiar with the three I feature in this Blog. The thing that impresses me most about her books is that her goal is to write History so that it is also fun to read. She researches archives and then writes the informative, yet fun book. For "Seaman" she traveled to the library in Philadelphia which holds the journals from Lewis and Clark to obtain information to write this accurate, yet fun book. This is her style and she is very good at it.

So much about the Author as you can look her up on the World Wide Web. The most important aspect of this Blog is to simply point out the joy of reading to School Children. I have just happened to acquire the type of literature I can get into and share with students. It is fun and also very rewarding. Besides that the students like it when I come into the classroom. I have a fresh voice and I openly display my joy of reading. They have fun, yet learn history because of the type of books I select. The teacher is a winner because she gets to see her students learn while having fun, The students are winners because they get to have fun while learning, and I as the volunteer "Read Aloud" reader have fun sharing my love of books. I have read the "Seaman" story so often that I can bark very well. When a student indicates that they may be sleepy I simply add to the story - And Seaman Barked. It keeps the students on their toes. I also know that some feign tiredness simply to hear me bark.

In summary, If you are retired and want to keep yourself healthy with a youthful attitude, please consider volunteering at a local school. I have fun reading. Well, you do not even have to be retired to be an effective volunteer!!!!