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Bonita middle schoolers building confidence by reading to their younger peers
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Reading to their younger peers
Students from Bonita Springs Middle School read to their elementary school counterparts once a month. First grade students in Lisa Beringer's class, most of them second year English students, build up their reading confidence through the program as do the readers.
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The first-graders circle around the reader, who carefully pronounces each word.
A little girl’s pigtails swing as she cranes her neck to snag a look at the pictures as the book swivels her way, supported by the reader’s hands.
The class is captivated, silent, focused. At least one mouth is hanging open. They seem to enjoy the book and perhaps they’re saying to themselves, “I’m going to do that in five years.”
More than a dozen Bonita Springs Middle School students have been frequenting Bonita Springs Elementary this year, reciting books to build confidence in their reading and give their younger counterparts something to look forward to.
“It’s just fun,” says seventh-grader Scott Davis, 13. “It just makes me feel more confident if I have to stand in front of a bunch of people.”
On Thursday, Davis read “Courtney,” a book about children trying to find a dog for their family. Davis said he enjoys being a role model for the students, and doesn’t get too nervous. The first time he read in front of the students, though, it was a different story.
“My hands started to shake and I started to freak out mentally,” Davis said.
But the students don’t seem to mind a little nervousness, Bonita Elementary teacher Lisa Beringer said.
“The kindergartners don’t care how well you can read, they just want to be read to,” Beringer said. “I’ve seen a real progression in the self-esteem of the readers.”
To keep track of their progress, the middle school students keep a journal where their teachers and siblings write comments on their presentation. Sixth-grader Roberto Benitez-Decker, 12, said the journals keep him moving forward.
“When you can get feedback from someone, you can read better and with more confidence,” Benitez-Decker said.
Unfortunately, the Thursday reading at Bonita Elementary was the last one of the year. Sixth-grader Efy Tijerina, whose ironic selection, “When Will I Read,” received a round of applause from Beringer’s class, said she was looking forward to doing it again.
“This is our last time to read and I’m really excited,” Tijerina said. “I can’t wait until next year.”
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