February 17, 2014
After much consideration, we have chosen five classes that I will Skype with on World Read Aloud Day. They span a wonderful range of ages and geographic locations - I am looking forward to reading aloud to each of these groups.
The first is Mrs. Brittin’s 4th grade class at Warren E. Sooy Jr. Elementary School in Hammonton, New Jersey. Her class (@Brittin404) already interacts with me on Twitter, and I am looking forward to seeing them in person!
Learning Coach Amy Duncan (@teacheraduncan) tells us that when she asked the 5th graders at her school, Emma Murphy Elementary in Metamora, Michigan, what author they would like to meet on World Read Aloud Day, they shouted "Seymour Simon!" Ms. Duncan added that she "thinks it would make a difference for these students to have a real and writerly conversation with the first expert that came to their minds." How could I say no to that?!
Mrs. Lambert’s 3rd grade class at Harvard Elementary School in Tacoma, Washington are learning about blogging this year, and their first blog comments were posted on my website, SeymourSimon.com. These students read my blog regularly and sign all their comments "May the blog be with you." I love it that this request came from multiple students in the class, each writing about subjects that they were interested in.
Kristin Moffitt is the Literacy Coach at the American International School of Zagreb in the Republic of Croatia, and she asked her students to use their persuasive writing skills to invite me to Skype with them on World Read Aloud Day. She included a PDF with many letters from her students. They did indeed make some very good persuasive arguments, and they included terrific artwork, as well! (the student’s last name has been removed to protect her privacy).
And finally, Mrs. Hundt (@maryfranny), the Library Media Specialist at West Salem Elementary School in West Salem, Wisconsin, asked me to participate because most of the connections they have for the day are fiction, and she really wants to include more nonfiction, as she sees many students who gravitate toward it. She came to the right place, and I look forward to meeting the West Salem Elementary students.
Thank you to everyone who applied to have me Skype with their class on World Read Aloud Day. I wish it were possible to share the day with each and every one of you!
- Seymour
Posted by: Seymour Simon
