Our first and Second grade students here at Oakland Elementary have been so excited to study about the famous children’s author Eric Carle.  They have been reading some of his favorite books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Mixed Up Chameleon, and The Grouchy Ladybug.  Many of Carle’s books focus on animals.  However, these animals have emotions.  Our first graders wrote about having a stomachache after reading about the Very Hungry Caterpillar and his stomachache.  They learned that a healthy diet is very important.  The stories are organized and so the reader can easily follow the events in the book.  We highly recommend that you encourage your student to check out one of Carle’s books from The Oakland Elementary Library or visit the Spartanburg Public Library and check out a few of  Eric Carle’s books and read them together.

I believe that ALL children can learn.  It will be at their own pace and it will happen when they are developmentally ready.  This is true especially with reading.  Reading is like a puzzle.  There are so many pieces to put together and I believe that when a child is ready, especially with nurturing parents, teachers and a print rich environment, they will learn to read.  For some children reading comes so easy.  I was one of those kids.  I don’t remember learning phonics or sight words.  I do remember looking at books as a very young child and pretending that I was part of the setting in those books.  I still have those books on my bookshelf today.  However, one of my own children was not ready to learn all of those letters, sounds, and sight words that they were supposed to in kindergarten and I worried.  But, I kept reading to them, reviewing those sounds, and visiting the library.  Today they are very good at reading.   I’m so glad that I didn’t panic and make some unnecessary changes.  I believe with patience support, and time, all children can learn, especially to read.

Mrs. Bonnie Cumbo