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Senior Citizens Are "Book Buddies" with Elementary School Students
Description
It is a heartwarming partnership between senior citizens and elementary school students, a partnership where seniors from a local assisted living center are showing up and reading with kids in the library.
On this episode of the Supercast, we take you to Oquirrh Elementary School. That’s where we see first-hand how being book buddies is building connections and companionship between the students and seniors, and bridging a generation gap. But best of all, it is inspiring a love for literacy in young children who look forward to the monthly visits from their senior friends.
Audio Transcription
[MUSIC PLAYING]Teacher:
One of my students came back in with a huge smile on her face. I asked her how Golden Hour was and she said that it was so much fun. She loves reading with the grandmas and grandpas. Oh, they get so excited.
Diana:
And then we had different kids this month and last month. And some of them said, “we have to go back. That was so fun.” They love it.
Anthony Godfrey:
Hello, and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. It is a heartwarming partnership among senior citizens and elementary school students, a partnership where seniors from a local assisted living center are showing up and reading with kids in the school's media center. On this episode of the Supercast, we take you to Oquirrh Elementary School. That's where we see firsthand how being book buddies is building connections and companionship among students and seniors and bridging a generation gap. But best of all, it is inspiring a love of literacy in young children who look forward to the monthly visits from their senior friends.
Anthony Godfrey:
We are here at Oquirrh Elementary School during Golden Hour Reading, where Sun Ridge Assisted Living residents are working with students to improve their reading skills. Let's listen in.
Here, tell you what.
Wow.
Hey, have you ever seen--have you ever been driving with your parents and have you ever seen this before? Well, I have. That's a long you.
Called--
Good job. Good job.
Anthony Godfrey
I'm talking now with one of our visitors and one of the students here at Oquirrh Elementary. Tell me your name, what grade you're in.
Cooper:
Cooper and first grade.
Anthony Godfrey:
And Cooper, how's first grade going?
Cooper:
Good.
Anthony Godfrey:
And what did you guys read today?
Cooper:
Going Fishing.
Anthony Godfrey:
Oh, Going Fishing. So what did you like most about the book?
Cooper:
Like you have to get a special hook, like as a fish, but it's not actually a fish on it, but there's no splashing.
Anthony Godfrey:
And does this make you want to be a fisherman?
Cooper:
Yes. I really want to go fishing with my dad.
Anthony Godfrey:
So go home today and tell him, “Dad, I read about fishing and it's time we go fishing.”
Cooper:
OK.
Anthony Godfrey:
All right, nice to meet you. So how did it feel to be read to? First introduce yourself and how did you feel being read to today?
Dale Koth:
Felt great.
Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me your name.
Dale Koth:
I'm Dale Koth.
Anthony Godfrey:
And you're one of the early volunteers to come visit, but I understand there's something in your history that would make that not much of a surprise that you want to be at an elementary school.
Dale Koth:
I'm a retired teacher, elementary school teacher.
Anthony Godfrey:
And where did you teach?
Dale Koth:
I taught at Terra Linda for a while, and I also taught at Southland Elementary.
Anthony Godf