Snowshoes and StoryWalk®
Reading Recovery teacher, Sarah Rogers, facilitated a Saturday morning StoryWalk snowshoe event with the help of fellow Reading Recovery teachers, Carol Crothers, Lisa Roy, and Doris Pratt. On Saturday, February 12 Benton Elementary first and second grade students joined the Title I Reading Recovery teachers at the playground to read and snowshoe around the StoryWalk. Also in attendance were, second grade teacher, Emily Hachey, and her student teacher, Annie Jewel. Families read The Teddy Bear by David McPhail. Many stands also held short informational signs highlighting the importance of family literacy and tips for reading with their children.
This event was made possible by other members of our Bulldog community. Josh Blaisdell, LHS P.E. teacher, delivered 20 pairs of adult snowshoes to be used by parents and adult family members. Youth sized snowshoes were purchased by the BES student council a few years ago. Finally, sophomore National Honor Society volunteer and former Benton bulldog, Mya Williams, passed out hot chocolate and coffee that was available for families after finishing the StoryWalk. Hot chocolate and coffee was donated by Tim Horton’s in Clinton.
The Teddy Bear Drive
Connected to the StoryWalk was a school-wide teddy bear drive facilitated by Reading Recovery teacher, Lisa Roy. Benton Elementary students, parents and staff showed their generosity by donating a total of 125 teddy bears. Some classroom teachers combined physical activity and literacy by walking or snowshoeing the StoryWalk with their class. These teddy bears were delivered to the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter in Waterville on February 14th-Valentines Day! This was an opportunity for students to be involved in service-learning, to understand the meaning of compassion, and to make a difference in the lives of families at the Mid-Maine Homeless shelter in our community. The staff at the shelter were amazed and appreciative of the large donation of teddy bears that will benefit current and future residents.
