High tech reading is part of Pine Tree's annual 'Read-a-thon'

Reading and writing remain crtical elements of 21st century learning MONROE — Pine Tree Elementary School was buzzing with books last Friday, as students had an entire day dedicated to reading during the school’s annual Read-a-thon. Guest readers visited the school to meet with classes and read to students as part of Pine Tree’s ongoing efforts to instill a love of reading in children. “This gives us a day to remind everyone how important reading is,” said Pine Tree Principal Bryan Guidice, as he welcomed guest readers to the school. “It gives us a chance to see how our community practices this important skill. Twenty-first century learning skills incorporate reading and writing in everything students do. Reading will help these kids prepare for jobs which aren’t even yet invented yet.” Some guest readers brought their favorite books to read to students, or chose titles from selections made available to them by the school. Tekky book And then there was Monroe-Woodbury Transportation Director and guest reader Cliff Berchtold, who marched to the beat of a different drummer with his tekky book presentation. Berchtold could be found in Michele Romano’s dark classroom with his iPad screen twinkling in the eyes of the 22 attentive second-graders. His iPad was not just showing the text and illustrations to Beatrix Potter’s “Peter Rabbit.” Berchtold had also hooked up speakers so the delighted children could listen to an undeniably British voice telling them the tale of Peter and his sisters. His encore e-book was the British folk tale “The Three Wishes,” the story of a poor woodsman, which featured another British voice narrating the text on the tablet’s screen. “The kids helped me with the technology,” said Berchtold afterward. “”Whenever something didn’t go right, a little hand was raised to help me. They love this. The illustrations are so colorful and bright, and you can enlarge them (illustrations) so they get a better view.” His method of reading was a success with the students, all of who were unmistakably Angry Birds savvy and clearly understood how a tablet is used. “It lets me hear the book while I’m reading or eating so I don’t fall asleep,” said second-grader Eddie Dovgan. Turning the page Romano’s class took an informal vote to see which method of reading was most interesting to them. One student liked the traditional way of book reading, while six liked a hybrid of “the old fashioned” way plus the new technology of reading books using a tablet. But by far, tablet reading won over the group, with 15 students casting a vote as their preferred method. Still, Berchtold was careful to reinforce the value and importance of having an actual book in hand, reading the text, turning the pages and revisiting the illustrations. “Books are nice,” said Berchtold. “With a tablet, sometimes the batteries go dead, and that’s not good. But with a real book, the batteries never go dead and you always have it in front of you.” With a tablet, sometimes the batteries go dead, and that’s not good. But with a real book, the batteries never go dead and you always have it in front of you.” Monroe-Woodbury Transportation Director Cliff Berchtold, who was a guest reader at the Pine Tree Elementary School’s Read-a-thon last week.