ARL employees support Read Across America Day at local elementary school

By Ms Joyce Conant, ARLMarch 18, 2013

ARL employees support Read Across America Day at local elementary school
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
ARL employees support Read Across America Day at local elementary school
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Angelique Scharine from the Human Research and Engineering Directorate (HRED) who was very animated during each of her readings, read to students in the 2nd grade. She read books such as Fox and Sox, Make up Mess, and I'm so Embarrassed by children's... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
ARL employees support Read Across America Day at local elementary school
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Employees from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) supported Churchville Elementary School, who along with the National Education Association, celebrated Read Across America Day by reading stories to children in grades one through five on March 1.

In 1997, an organization known as the National Education Association (NEA), pushed for a special day to celebrate reading throughout the United States. This idea proved to be a popular one so it was not long before the first Read Across America Day was held on March 2, 1998. This nationwide observance coincides with the birthday of Dr. Seuss (Geisel), an American writer best known for writing children's books. Some of his books include Green Eggs and Ham, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Cat in the Hat.

Churchville Elementary School provided readers who wanted to dress up with hats and other Dr. Seuss-related costumes to wear while reading.

Volunteers were told that they could bring a favorite book to read or one would be provided. They each read for about 20-30 minutes.

Paul Conroy from the Weapons and Materials Research Directorate (WMRD) read to the 5th grade class, which was also his son's class. Conroy decided to read the Declaration of Independence to help give the children a better understanding of it. He asked the students questions prior to reading it to see how much they knew in advance.

Angelique Scharine from the Human Research and Engineering Directorate (HRED) read to students in the 2nd grade. She read books such as Fox and Sox, Make up Mess, and I'm so Embarrassed by children's author Robert Munsch.

Scharine, who was very animated during each of her readings, kept the children entertained.

"It's always great to have someone come in from the community to share and read to the students," said Danielle Carter, 2nd grade teacher.

Another ARL employee who read to the students was Matthew Floros from Vehicle Technology Directorate (VTD) who read in the afternoon to the 2nd grade students.

Sheryl Coleman, program specialist, who helped organize the event said, "ARL employees each year take the time out of their busy schedules to make this a successful program. Ms. Terrell at the school is always very thankful for the number of ARL participants."

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U.S. Army Research Laboratory

ARL employees support Read Across America Day at local elementary school