Michael K. Dakota/Gazette Claire Crawford reads in her classroom at Reading Elementary School as part of a program by scholastic.
Students in Shari Beatty’s third and fourth grade class at Reading Elementary are reading for a purpose this semester — to put books in hands of needy children across the world.
The students are participating in a program through Scholastic Book Clubs, which is joining Super Bowl MVPs Peyton and Eli Manning to donate 1 million books to disadvantaged children. Through the program, Scholastic Book Clubs’ ClassroomsCare, classrooms across the country dedicate themselves to reading 100 books total in the classroom by Dec. 18. Once the number reaches the goal, 1 million books will be donated to needy children.
Each classroom joins either “Team Peyton” or “Team Eli” and keeps track of their progress through a poster provided by the program and through a companion Web site, where classrooms can compare their progress. Students also get to put a new football on the “touchdown board” in the hallway each time they finish a book.
Beatty’s class chose Team Peyton through a vote, she said. The class is up to 17 books as of Wednesday. Beatty heard about the program through a Scholastic book order. She said it tied in perfectly because the kids enjoy reading and enjoying helping others.
“We love it because we are helping kids less fortunate than us,” Beatty said.
Isaiah Florea, third grader, said the program is “cool.” Isaiah said he loves reading and his favorite books are the Zach Files.
“It’s just about this kid named Zach,” he said. “Weird things happen to him.”
Isaiah said he has read about five books so far.
Taking a break from his book Wednesday afternoon, Freedom Heathman, third grader, said he, too, enjoys reading.
“Arthur is my favorite,” he said.
Reading comes naturally for third grader Kailee McGuire.
“I’ve read so far about seven books since the first day of school,” she said, with a smile. “I love reading.”
Students in Beatty’s class are excited about the program and eager to tell what they are doing.
“Scholastic Books Clubs’ ClassroomsCare has not only created excitement for reading, but also given our students the fulfillment of knowing that we are working towards a goal that will benefit others and their reading,” Beatty said.
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