Children's author visits Kirbyville...

Children's author, Sondra Gray, visited both Kirbyville Middle School and Kirbyville Elementary School on Friday, September 3 to share excerpts of her two books, According to Punkin and According to Phoenix. She also discussed what it was like to be an author and where her ideas came from for her books. Students had the opportunity to purchase autographed copies and copies of the books were presented to each library. To read more about her books visit: http://accordingtopunkin.com/

At the middle school, Gray met with fourth and fifth grade students. Parents were invited to attend, as well. Students enjoyed listening to segments of the books and asked many questions about the books and the writing process. The writing process is an important component of the curriculum in fourth and fifth grades. Hearing about the process from a real author motivates students to take the time and effort required to transform an idea into a piece of literature for a specific audience.

At the elementary school her visit served as the kick-off assembly for the at-home reading program, AIR: All Individuals Reading. In the AIR program, kindergarten and first grade students are challenged to read at least 100 books during the school year. Second and third grade students are challenged to read at least 2000 minutes. A special event will be planned in May for all students who meet the reading goal. Along the way intermediate goals will be celebrated and rewarded to encourage families to complete the program consistently throughout the year.

Families are highly encouraged to participate in the at-home reading process. At kindergarten and first grade levels, children typically need assistance with the reading process. Parents, grandparents or older siblings can help by reading aloud, sharing the reading process or assisting the more independent reader with decoding phonetically-regular words, supplying unknown words, or coaching the child to use reading strategies, such as using picture cues or context clues. At all grade levels, parents can help by explaining unfamiliar vocabulary, asking their child to retell the stories in their own words and asking questions that promote students making personal connections or connections between the current book and previous books or the world in general.