Kids improve their reading with Read and Rec, Rhyme and Rec
A group of young readers help instructor Connie Thomson plot out a treasure hunt during one of the Read and Rec program’s Pirate Week activities at Oliver Elementary School on July 19.
Erin Christie Photo
While most children don’t want to think about school until September, others have been hitting the books to maintain their reading and writing skills.
In Oliver, those children were found at Oliver Elementary School or Tuc-el-Nuit Elementary School, participating in one or more of the three summer literacy programs (Read and Rec, Rhyme and Rec and Read and Tech).
The programs, which are funded by the Ministry of Education through their summer school funding, and School District 53, are offered as an early intervention strategy for struggling or “at risk” readers, and include a variety of interactive literacy activities.
“I didn’t really want to go at first but I like it now,” said five-year-old Lane Kirs, who has been attending Rhyme and Rec at Oliver Elementary.
“I don’t really like coming to school in the summer, but we do a lot of fun things here.”
Kirs said the program has made reading more “fun” and his favourite book is “The Adventures of Lightning McQueen.”
Kirs added that he might enjoy reading and writing more this fall but he still “likes gym better.”
Six-year-old Kushleen Dhaliwal attended the Read and Rec program and said she loves to read and enjoys the programs’ activities as well.
Her new favourite book is “Pirates Don’t Wear Diapers.” She said reading has made her want to “write stories and read more.”
The summer reading programs were offered during July. For more information visit http://www.sd53.bc.ca/
Erin Christie
Oliver Chronicle
