OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio -- The power of reading was recently on display at Falls-Lenox Primary School.
Principal Lisa M. Williams said not only did students collectively read “The Big BFG” for Right to Read Week, but they were also visited by Olmsted Middle School sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade LEAD members armed with their favorite books to share.
“We had around 50 middle schoolers come down to read their favorite book aloud to classes and share their love of literature with students here,” she said.
“They just love coming down here playing teacher for a little bit and getting to read to a class full of wide-eyed first-, second- and third-graders.
Olmsted Falls Middle School students recently read to Falls-Lenox Primary School kids. John Benson/cleveland.com
Each middle school student read to multiple classrooms -- roughly 700 elementary school students in total -- with the principal adding that the annual visit creates quite a connection.
“It just affirms for them the importance of literature, reading and being exposed to a wide variety of book genres,” she said.
“Any time we can intermix students throughout the buildings in the district, it’s a positive experience for everyone.”
One of the highlights came when middle school students visited their former third-grade teacher, Zachary Acerra.
The older kids were met with a surprise.
Olmsted Falls Middle School students were treated to portraits of their third-grade selves during a Right to Read Week visit to Falls-Lenox Primary School.Courtesy of Olmsted Falls City Schools
The teacher put photos of his former students up for the class to enjoy the full-circle moment.
Third-grader Vera Falkovea said, “I like how they read to us, and I liked seeing the pictures of the students from when they were in third grade.”
The same went for her classmate Rylie Poli, who added, “I liked how we are going to get to be middle school readers one day.”
Then there was third-grader Brayden Raines, who took something else from the experience: “I liked how they made a mistake in their reading. It showed how no one is perfect.”
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