..yesterday morning at an elementary school across town. I'd signed up, but not sure about the day. Had to go to an introduction/training last week, and discover I am on the list to be a tutor on Wed. So I took a long 'lunch break' from work to go 'way across town and spent more time going and coming than actually being there. Worked with two little four year olds, about twenty minutes with each and read the book "Have You Seen My Duckling?" which is mostly illustrations, with a few words for them to begin to recognize. A cute sweet story, about a little duck who leaves the nest chasing a butterfly. More picture reading, interpreting the illustrations than actual words. And repetitive, for them to begin the process of recognizing simple sight words.
One of the little people could not really count to eight (the number of ducks in the nest) or write her name, but the other seemed to be much better with basic skills. We read the book, talked about the pictures and counted the ducklings on each page, searching for the missing one that was semi-hidden in the illustrations. I am amazed to think that there are four year olds who do not have anyone in their lives who reads to them. Sad to think they have not experienced books. Saddened even more to think there are so many who will not ever learn to read, never go to school, have to opportunity of being literate and the resulting liberation that learning to decipher those strung together letters brings. Hard to imagine not having that ability.
So today: we can all be thankful for the people who taught us how to read, the community of book lovers who shared that love with us Taking us by the hand, leading us gently through the door into the world of being literate, and loving literature: books, magazines, writing, reading, postcards, stationary, postage stamps.Can you imagine what your life would be like if you could not decipher the confusing letters found on the cereal box or street signs?
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