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Program plants fertile seeds of literacy

Like a mini-mobile classroom, Leslie-Ann Kroeker totes a basket full of books, markers, crayons and activities to encourage students to get excited about reading.
LiteracyProgram2RandyAug3_20100803174628
Katie Wilson

Like a mini-mobile classroom, Leslie-Ann Kroeker totes a basket full of books, markers, crayons and activities to encourage students to get excited about reading.

The co-ordinator of the Red Deer Firefighters Reading Pal Program is one of three tutors who are part of the program, working with students on their reading skills this summer at the Red Deer Public Library.

“It is really rewarding when you see a kid actually finally get it,” Kroeker said. “When the light bulb comes on, it is a good feeling.”

In the few weeks since it began, Kroeker has already seen improvement in the students’ handwriting, reading and comprehension. “The kids I have seen consistently, I can see a difference,” Kroeker said.

This year, 120 students from Grades 1 to 6 are taking part in the program, which partners with the Red Deer Public and Catholic schools locally to find students who might benefit.

The literacy program has been running since 2000 through the Red Deer Public Library and has received funding from Red Deer Firefighters. Children attend the program once a week for seven weeks in the summer.

The first half an hour is often spent with story time, followed by games like Go Fish, using words instead of playing cards, memory games using words and even bingo.

Kroeker said it can be a challenge to keep everything exciting and fun, while being educational, but she does her best to put a little bit of fun into everything they do.

Students are encouraged to read outside of their time in the program and can earn points for small items like squirt guns, Frisbees and gum.

sobrien@www.reddeeradvocate.com