The Lake Charles Charter Academy held family reading nights Monday and Thursday in celebration of Read Across America Day on March 2. Parents, teachers and students read books and participated in educational activities.

The theme, “Oh! The Places You’ll Go,” referred to a book by Dr. Seuss, whose birthday is March 2 — and the reason for the nationwide initiative.

On Monday, the school’s first annual reading night was dedicated to grades K-3 and on Thursday, grades 4-7. The events offered parents an opportunity to see what programs are being implemented in the classes.

“We wanted to give the parents some knowledge of what’s going on in the classrooms,” reading coach Mae Belle Smith said. “We have so many different kinds of things that are being taught.”

Parents were introduced to educators’ goals for the students and how they are being prepared for the future. At the beginning of the night, parents were presented with a “passport” listing all the night’s activities. Parents and children were encouraged to attend at least five classrooms.

The reading night also provided a way for parents to get in more school-involvement time. Parents with one child are required to volunteer at least 20 hours a year at the school, 30 hours if they have more than one child.

“We try to offer lots of opportunities for parental involvement,” Principal Pamela Quebodeaux said. “A lot of things we are using on a daily basis we were able to share with parents in this activity.”

In one class session, participants learned about i-Ready, an online platform that offers guidance and instruction to enhance students’ reading and math skills. Another session covered iLEAP practice techniques in preparation for Louisiana tests.

Other classroom highlights included Marzano teaching strategies, Venn diagrams to explain similarities and differences, and math operations. Two local authors were also present to read with students Monday night. The school opened up the book fair both nights to encourage book purchases and reading outside the classroom. Almost 200 people participated the first night.

“The reading activities involved a lot of the programs that we’re using in our schools,” Quebodeaux said. “It’s just a great way to celebrate reading and involve our parents and our children.”

(Associated Press)

Jay Pickthorn