THE month of May has again been observed as Reading Month. Throughout the month various schools across the island have acknowledged and celebrated the importance of reading. The libraries have also been pivotal to activities to mark Reading Month including: The Marchand Library.
In an effort to highlight the importance of reading and the significant role that it plays in the academic success of students, The Marchand librarian visited three schools within the district.
The first was the Marchand Combined School (now known as Bishop Charles Gachet RC Primary School) on May 24. Pupils of the Grade K and Grade 1 class were taught the functions of the library and a few classical stories were read to the children. This outreach programme continued on May 25 at the Entrepot Day Care during their Story Hour, where the preschoolers and toddlers participated in and thoroughly enjoyed a storytelling session.
The final reading activity for the month took place at the Bocage Combined School during their Reading Carnival Extravaganza on Friday May 27. A series of activities were hosted on that day such as a reading segment with the Marchand Librarian. The entire body of students participated in this activity, where they were first read a classical story then a poem on climate change entitled “Trees are Great” by Roger McGough. The activity culminated with the celebration of Reading month in the Marchand Library.
Ms. Oliviann Weekes, Librarian at Marchand Combined also highlighted reading as an important tool that would assist students with their academic performance; in particular the study of the English Language. This subject is a mandatory component of every school’s curriculum and so it is essential that students have a well rounded knowledge of the language, particularly for the essay writing segment of the English examinations.
“The activities at the various schools were indeed a success and students seemed to have an appreciation for the practical advantages of reading as was demonstrated to them by the Librarian. Activities of this nature are crucial in raising a generation of young people who are well educated and well informed through their love of reading”, Ms. Weekes said .