Understanding words makes for better writing

BY CHUCK TUCK | JOURNAL REPORTER Writing is like walking, you’ve got to start from the beginning-- reading.
Sunnycrest Elementary held a parent literacy workshop on the last day of January.

The evening workshop was open to all parents of Sunnycrest students to help them better understand how to help their child become exceptional readers and writers.

During the hour-and-a-half workshop parents were privy to various sessions from language connections to strategies for reading informational text to making reading fun.

Former Sunnycrest fourth grade teacher Emily Wolfe spoke of the importance in reading proficiency and making a connection with children.

After seven years of teaching, Wolfe is now the head librarian for the school and says she is happy to be a part of the parent literacy workshop.

“Reading improves all aspects of life,” Wolfe said.

Principal Tim Haines and Dean of Students Gina Anderson both spoke of the need for parents to be involved with their child and to do their part by encouraging reading.

Anderson said that the goal of the literacy workshop is to help parents help their child into the next step of literacy.

“The hope is to have students take the next step into understanding literary elements; the how, why, and reason’s behind an author’s work,” Anderson said.

Understanding these elements she said, will make students better writers.

Tanya Rickard attended the evening workshop hoping she would walk away having new ideas of how to better help her child become a better reader.

“I want my child to be more proficient reading at home,” Rickard said.
Others had also said their goal for attending the workshop was to be able to help their child be proficient readers.

The night was not just about parents mentoring their children, but students helping students.

Freshmen Ronnie Valentine and Roy Lopez were among a handful of students helping the younger kids with reading, story telling and game playing to make reading fun.

“We’re helping the future generation,” Valentine said.

“It’s a great way to teach kids to take care of themselves,” Lopez added.

Jackie Broadbent, an independent educational supervisor representing Usborne books said that their books are among the best for children.

With colorful pages and descriptive words, the publisher connects its young readers with their books by linking readers to the internet for an interactive experience.

“Might as well be learning to read than gaming,” Broadbent commented.

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