Students get a read on literacy fair

Liberty Elementary School District submitted this item

What do you get when you mix storytelling with free books, prizes, games, dressed-up storybook characters from the Scholastic book fair, hands-on activities and a room full of K-8 creative teachers? A literacy fair.

Freedom Elementary opened their gym to kindergarten through fourth-grade students and their parents to celebrate literacy on Nov. 13.

More than a dozen booths were set up with interactive games, crafts and activities focused on reading. In addition, two storytellers were on hand, including the Liberty District Director of Special Education, Patricia Fleeger, who shared her Native American-Navajo storytelling background and family history.

Students also had an opportunity to have their pictures taken with their favorite storybook characters who were seen walking the rooms throughout the evening.

"Kudos to the literacy team and to all of the volunteers who helped make this event so awesome," said Kim Glenn, Freedom Elementary principal. "What a great way to build community spirit and to help instill the love of reading within our students."

More than 300 people attended, including 175 students who all received a free book as well as several crafts they made. Parents could be seen interacting with their children in classrooms cutting, painting turkey hands, listening to stories or cheering their kids on in the music book walk.

"One of our goals was to increase parent involvement on our campus," Glenn said.

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