Some children shook their fingers in the air exclaiming, “I do not like green eggs and ham.” Others laughed out loud at the antics of characters in books brought to life by guest readers, and everyone taking part hoped to help ignite a love of reading on Friday, as Rome City Schools celebrated Read Across America Day.
“This is one of the most exciting days of the year because I have the opportunity to get back in front of the kids and strike their curiosity about reading. I love to see the joy the students show when I walk into the room to read,” Rome Superintendent Dr. Eric L Holland, who read to classes at all six elementary schools on Friday. “There is a burning desire in every classroom I went to for kids to want to read, but we also want to put some life into it. I’m not just going to go and sit and read to you. I’m going to bring some life to the reading.”
Those words succinctly describe the day’s theme. While outside, gray, overcast and rainy skies loomed, the classrooms were anything but drab as several guest readers brought stories to life while imparting messages and often asking for participation from their listeners.
After finishing his book, Rome Mayor Craig McDaniel discussed it, giving a solid prompt for the listeners.
“A book you read can sometimes have so few words but so much meaning,” he said.
City Manager Sammy Rich took time to read at West End, where his children attended, and before breaking into a rousing version of the Dr. Seuss Classic “Green Eggs and Ham” had a succinct message for the children.
“The City of Rome loves good readers,” he said.
Dr. Melissa Davis, a Rome City Schools Board Member, had a special book picked out to read.
“When I was little, this was one of my favorite books,” she said, pulling out “Henry the Explorer '' and reading about Henry's many exploits.
Rome City Schools Board Member Pascha Burge managed to read to classes at all six elementary schools on Friday as well. She chose the book “What the Road Said” and relayed several key messages during reading.
“When you learned to ride a bike did you fall?” she asked the children. Several nodded their heads. “Just like this book says, you got back up and tried again until you got it. You didn’t give up.”
City Commissioner Jim Bojo chose to read “Hop on Pop” and engaged the students with some interesting questions that brought laughter.
“Have you ever sat on a cactus,” he asked the children. “If so, it was a life lesson because you only sit on a cactus once.”
Dr. Holland made sure to get his listeners engaged with a bit of a warm-up before reading “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”. After a round of clapping and encouraging words, he asked where the children wanted to visit.
Popular places like Disney World, Las Vegas, Dollywood, Florida and Mexico were mentioned, but Dr. Holland topped them all.
“I want to go to the moon,” he said before launching into an enthusiastic version of the book even borrowing words from his favorite book “The Little Engine That Could”. Dr. Holland told students to point to themselves and say, “I know I can.”
Randy Quick, a Rome City Commissioner, implored his listeners to help him read “Green Eggs and Ham” telling them that they had to help him with the part where the main character, Sam-I-Am, says he doesn’t like green eggs and ham.
Quick and the students waved their fingers in the air emphatically to make sure they got the point across.
Willie the Wolf, Rome City School’s Mascot, even got in on the action. While Willie didn’t read to any classes, he did visit several classrooms, encouraging kids to read and even passing out some bookmarks.
Before beginning to read LeBron James’ book “Promise”, Dr. Barbara Lashley, Deputy Superintendent of Rome City Schools, asked the classroom for volunteers. Every hand shot into the air, bringing a big smile to Dr. Lashley’s face.
“I wanted to see who would raise their hand because raising your hand and volunteering is a sign of leadership,” she said. “And all of you raised your hands very fast.”
Read Across America Day is celebrated every year on Dr. Seuss’ birthday or the weekday closest to his birthday if it falls on a weekend day like it does this year.
After visiting the elementary schools and reading and interacting, Dr. Holland couldn’t contain his excitement.
“There is never a debate about the importance of reading with Rome City Schools. Reading is the common denominator for us. Seeing the mayor, board members and others reading today was powerful,” Dr. Holland said. “This is one thing we know we can all do together, and that’s to strike kids' curiosity for reading.”