A group of high school students aspiring to be teachers tried out their burgeoning skills Thursday at Iduma Elementary School.
Nine Killeen ISD Career Center Education and Training students dressed in Seuss-inspired attire to read books and direct activities among a mix of elementary grade levels.
The preparation and presentation provided ideal opportunity for the future teachers.
The range of lessons from first grade to fifth grade required students to prepare for various learning levels and to adjust in the moment and as they visited different classes, which is exactly what a teacher faces, Tina Tamplen, the high school education instructor pointed out.
Numerous elementary schools in KISD and across the country are focused more than usual this week on reading. Officially, Read Across America Day is March 2, the birthday of the late Dr. Seuss.
In the Iduma Elementary library, high school guests welcomed one class at a time, where they read the Seuss book, “Sneetches,” then guided the younger students to create artwork and contribute to a mural illustrating kindness.
At the same time, other guests, including a Cat in the Hat and a pair of Things, shared a Seuss book called “My Many Colored Days” and led discussions about emotions that can be tied to different colors.
“Today is Read Across America so we have come up with Dr. Seuss activities to go with the books we chose,” said senior Sydney Sica.
“I think it’s really cool. When I was little, I read a lot. Some kids don’t get to read at home, so this is a good way to encourage them to read,” she said.
“I know when I was this young, I would enjoy this. It’s fun we get to get dressed and have fun.”
“Our project is to make lessons and we’re going to classes to teach,” said senior Norelle Bristol, who won the privilege of painting on a cat nose and whiskers and wear the famous cat suit.
“Little kids are always excited to see us,” she said. “They are really good. They are grasping the story. I try to ask a little more difficult questions to make sure they are getting the themes.”
“I think it is working out well. It’s really fun to have a say in what we’re doing. They are loving it. They are excited to learn.”
See our photos from the Seuss reading lessons at Iduma Elementary School:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720324256861/
