Helping Your Student Enjoy Reading by Gwen Marshall Unite Contributing Writer For a vast majority of students, reading isn’t easy. Many students find it difficult making the connection between letters and sounds. Other students just have not found reading material that interests them and shows how much fun reading can be. For all students regardless of how they feel about reading, knowing letters, and sounds words make are important skills for learning that they will need throughout life. As a parent it is important that you read with your child often and seek ways to help your student become excited about reading. To help you in the process Kids Health has a few ideas to share with parents. Start with your child’s picks. Allow your child to pick a book they like for they are more likely to read something that interests them. For example, comics or joke books can be a fun pick. A comic book can help your child understand that events take place in order because stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end. They also help build vocabulary. Read and reread. Some children reach for the same books each time. That is Okay because repetition helps a student learn the text with confidence and each time they read it they find something new. And that positive experience can inspire kids to try new books. Read aloud. Reading aloud to your kids helps them build their vocabulary and introduces new facts and ideas. It also shows your child how much you enjoy reading and provides you both times together. Create opportunities to read and write beyond the pages. This provides your child with many chances to read every day. Try writing notes and leav-
When your child becomes interested in ing them on your child’s pillow, in a lunchbox, a book, regardless of the format, help them or in a pocket. And you may find your child also creating words, sentences, and stories. make connections between the story and their On car/bus/train trips or errands, play life. Start conversations that build a word games that build language skills. love of reading and learning. You might try “I Spy” (“I spy Get help if you’re worried. something that starts with an ‘a’ ...”) If you’re concerned about your or games where you pick a category child’s ability or unwillingness to (like “food”) and everyone has to read, get help. Talk to your child’s name foods that begin with a certain doctor or teacher for suggestions. letter. It is also fun to read the signs I would like to recommend startthey see while driving past restauGwen Marshall ing a reading challenge with your rants and stores, and billboards. child. Be sure to make it interesting and with a Sometimes electronic books (e-books) can help lucrative reward. encourage reading.
Personal profiles on the graduates from the 6th Annual BHSA Ariya Springfield, MO—This year the Black History Summer Academy (BHSA) was held virtually and we were able to reach a vast audience. Because of our sponsors we have been able to honor our commitment to share the global contributions of African American in the areas of entrepreneurship and innovation. We were also able to host a Community Day at the History Museum on the Square. The event is wrappedup with the 6th Annual Springfield Ariya Rites of Passage presentation. We are honoring young ladies who have recently graduated from high school. They have exhibited excellence in education and community service.
Aleayah Durham
Roho Nzuri ”Noble Beautiful Spirit” Aleayah Durham is a 2020 graduate of Parkview High School, completing her senior Aleayah Durham year with a 3.2 GPA. She resides in Springfield, Missouri with her
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mother. She attends Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church. Durham’s extracurricular activities include golf and DECA (International Association of Marketing Students). Durham is an avid reader and has maintained a presence on the honor roll all four years of high school. She was also able to complete high school a semester early. Mentoring young children during the school year is one of the many volunteer projects Aleayah spent time doing. Durhams’s future plans include attending Northwest Missouri State University where she has received theDean’s scholarship. Her major will be biomedical sciences with an emphasis in pre-physician assistant, specializing in emergency medicine. “Always follow your dreams, even through the hardships.” - Aleayah Durham
Karlyana Jamerson
Zawadi Ya Miungu “God’s Gift” Karlyana Jamerson is a 2020 graduate of Central High School. She resides in Springfield, Missouri with her mother, Karla Jamer-
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