Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools March/April 2018 | Page 5

Sun Valley Middle students lead through reading
Every Friday morning,
They’re actively reading with
Sun Valley Middle (SVMS)
the first graders, Diana said,
student Bryan Tran walks to
instead of simply reading to the
Sun Valley Elementary with a
students.
picture book in his hand.
As he prepared to visit
He, along with 79 of
the elementary school, SVMS
his peers, were selected to
student Ryan Albert said that
participate in the school’s
he remembers a time during
Leading with Reading
his first reading buddy session
program – a new reading
where both he and his student
buddy initiative that pairs
was a bit nervous. But now,
seventh and eighth grade
they look forward to the reading
students with first graders.
buddy visit each week.
It’s not a responsibility
“We’re teaching them skills
that any of the middle
that we know they’re going to
school students take
use when they get older. I was
lightly. Each book is filled
a little nervous at first because
with Post-It notes that
you don’t really read to other
include handwritten reading
people until you’re an adult, and
comprehension questions
it’s a little scary to know they’re
and strategies related to the
counting on us for education,”
book’s storyline that they
Ryan said. “But when they get
wrote in preparation for their Every Friday, 80 Sun Valley Middle students participate in the school’s
older, they can use the skills
Leading with Reading program – a new reading buddy initiative that
visit.
that we’re working on today to
pairs seventh and eighth grade students with first graders.
“My favorite part about
really excel academically and
this is seeing their faces after
make good choices in life.”
–This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools
I help them learn new things,” Bryan said. “I’m teaching them
Communication Office.
how to infer, so it’s fun to see their faces light up as soon as they
figure out what’s going on in the story.”
Back in her classroom, SVMS Career and Technology Education
teacher Diana Ollis said that like all schools in the Sun Valley
cluster, SVMS is committed to promoting leadership skills in its
students.
They’re encouraged to be leaders in class, athletic sports and
• Camps available for all ages
school clubs. And the recently adopted school wide 7 Habits of
• Interact with Doctors and Veterinary Staff
Effective Teens serves as a framework for leadership qualities.
• Multi or Single Day Camp options
“But we’re also looking for our kids to develop a sense of
• Clinic observation & participation time
leadership within their community and not just within our school,”
• Structured, fun & educational programs
Diana said, adding that the Leading With Reading initiative began
•Foster a love of animals and learning
in October. “We want them to understand they need to be leaders
elsewhere too. Through Leading with Reading, we’re expanding
their knowledge and expectations of what a leader is.”
Here’s what we heard from previous campers:
What’s great about the reading buddy program, Diana said, is
“We learned so much. Would love do it again next year.”
that it’s a win-win for everyone.
“My daughter learned a lot and was excited to go back each day. “
For the first graders, having older students read with them
every Friday is a special treat that many of them look forward to
all week.
Summer 2018 Dates Coming Soon!
“It gives first graders motivation to spread their reading
Look for more information on our Website
comprehension,” Diana added.
Learning
For the middle school students, serving as a reading buddy
teaches them responsibility and about the importance of being a
Animals
mentor.
Life
In preparation for their visits each week, the SVMS students
160 Corporate Blvd • Indian Trail
spend two days going over reading comprehension strategies.
After writing their own questions related to the story, they partner
with a peer who also helps them create additional questions and
IndianTrailAnimalHospital.com
strategies related to the story.
Kids Today, Vets Tomorrow.
Vet Camp 2018
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Parent Teacher Magazine • Mar/Apr 2018 • 3