Haine Elementary Zooms into Race-Themed Literacy Program

On your mark...Get set... Read!

It was off to the races Friday at Haine Elementary School.

To kick off the “Race into Reading” theme for the school’s yearlong literacy program, Haine held assemblies for those in kindergarten through fourth grade to encourage reading in the classroom—and at home.

They also had some fun.

Much to the delight of the elementary students, their teachers competed in tricycle races using three-wheelers they brought from home.

“They loved it,” principal Michelle Ellis said of the students. “That’s why we did it.”

Educators also spoke to the students about literacy logs and themes and went over seven different strategies for successful reading, including tips to “visualize” and “making connections” to stories.

Ellis, who like assistant principal Mandy Toy, was dressed as a racing official Friday, said the school also is offering incentives to get the kids to past the reading finish line.

Students who meet their reading goals for the grading period earn a free book, she said. Classrooms that meet their “reading minute” goals also will be entered into a monthly drawing to be chosen from a RC racing extravaganza at the school later in the school year.

Ellis said that upon of the learning of this year’s literacy theme, the owners of Cranberry-based Ready-Set-Race, LLC offered to bring their portable racetrack and remote control cars to the school as a special treat. The owners' children, Eliana and Joshua Downing, attend Haine, Ellis said.

“It was a wonderful surprise,” she said.

The event, which will include a digital scoreboard and racing sound effects, would be held at the school in January.

How do you encourage your kids to read? Do you have a favorite children’s book? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.