Shellie Gohl, instructional coach for APS, said the school district has been spending a lot of time on the Early Learning Essentials with students.

“Reading aloud is the driving force to learning how to read,” Gohl said. “Reading aloud helps students with their vocabulary and context in reading.”

Gohl said students who read aloud every day tend to be a grade level ahead of children who do not read aloud every day.

Besser Elementary School Principal Eric Cardwell and APS board President Gordon Snow read students Green Eggs and Ham on Thursday. Cardwell and Snow acted out the characters and had special props to bring the book to life for students.

News Photos by Julie Goldberg Besser Elementary School Principal Eric Cardwell and Alpena Public Schools board President Gordon Snow read Green Eggs and Ham to students on Thursday. AT RIGHT: Alpena High School teacher Danielle Hoggard reads her book A Hat Just Like That to Hinks Elementary School students on Thursday.

At Hinks Elementary, an event called “BINGO for Books” took place. Alpena High School teacher Danielle Hoggard, who recently published her own children’s book, was the guest read-aloud author.

“I enjoy sharing the love of reading,” Hoggard said. “I want to inspire the children and hope they grow their love for reading.”

Hoggard said seeing the facial expressions of the students while she was reading was neat and inspired her.

“I want them to know that they are authors,” she said. “Even though they don’t know it now, they are all authors when they are writing. They can do this too.”

During bingo each time someone won, everyone shared with families about how they can support literacy at home with their students. All students left Hinks Elementary with a book and lucky winners walked away with games and activities that support reading at home.

“Those were the two big events going on,” Gohl said. “A lot of teachers did their own program during the day and brought in guest readers.”

Gohl said she told teachers and staff about World Read Aloud Day three weeks ago to get everyone aware of the day and how important it is.

Title I teacher Jenny Marceau said the event at Hinks was fantastic as almost 100 people attended and was held to help inform parents of the resources that are available when it comes to reading.

“It’s also to help the students love coming to school,” she said. “We’re trying to teach parents how important it is for children to read every night.”

World Read Aloud Day was celebrated to take action on behalf of the 750 million people who lack basic reading and writing skills. Studies show that literacy is the foundation for emotional and physical wellbeing, intellectual growth, and economic security.

APS parent involvement coodinator Lee Fitzpatrick said one of the most important skills in life is reading.

“It’s the building block in life,” he said. “Parents are the partners in building skills in their children. It’s important for them to read to a child and it’s important for the kids to love reading aloud as well.”

Julie Goldberg can be reached via email at jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.