MEA helps first graders ‘unlock magic of written word’

CARIBOU, Maine — Teague Park first graders each were treated to their very own book to take home courtesy of the Maine Education Association on March 5. 

Dozens of first graders gathered in a Teague Park classroom as MEA District 15 UniServ Director Lou Willey prepared to read them a couple books before giving their teachers books to distribute.

She complimented the young students on being “really well behaved,” and asked if they knew which author recently celebrated a birthday.

“Dr. Seuss,” a student chimed in.

Willey asked the students if they could name any of his books, and some student responses included “Green Eggs and Ham,” “Oh, The Places You’ll Go,” “The Grinch,” and “Happy Birthday To You.”

“Do you see how many books he’s written,” Willey said, “and what do you notice about Dr. Seuss books?”

One student answered that “they all rhyme,” and Willey explained that writing a rhyme can be very difficult, which lead Dr. Seuss to make up his own words in order to create more rhymes, an invention that makes his books “very fun” to read.

Another student said that Dr. Seuss also wrote “The Lorax.”

“We could go on and on,” said Willey, “because he has written tons and tons of books.”

“Horton Hears a Who,” another student suggested.

“OK,” Willey said. “How about two more?”

After reading, Willey announced that she had “something very special” for the class: a book for each child to take home, along with a bookmark.

“The girls might be creeped out,” she said just before revealing the book, “but the boys are going to love this.”

But both girls and boys roared with excitement when they saw that they were getting a book about lizards.

“This is called a non-fiction book,” Willey said of “Lizards,” a National Geographic Kids publication.

“Because it’s real,” said an excited first grader.

“It’s real,” Willey confirmed, “and it’s all about lizards.”

The presentation and book giveaway were part of a program in which all Maine first graders will receive a book to keep.

Following her Caribou event, Willey said this is the “fun part” of her job, which typically involves helping teachers with contract negotiations, arbitrations, mediations, and legal advice.

Willey was right at home reading to the students in Caribou, where she has nearly 25 years of elementary school teaching experience.

Ultimately, she said the MEA’s primary concern is to “ensure that all kids have books in their hands,” and that the giveaway program started as students began telling teachers that they didn’t have any books, newspapers, or magazines in their homes.

“This is an attempt to get them started on their reading journey,” she said, “just to bring something home and call it their own.”

Ideally, Willey would like to see students carry a love of reading throughout their lives.

“As an ex elementary teacher, there’s nothing more important than reading,” she said. “I know some math teachers at the high school would argue that, but you can’t do a word problem if you can’t read; you need to unlock the magic of the written word.”

Teague Park Principal Cheryl Hallowell said the students love having guests come in and read to them, and that this MEA program, which has been ongoing for the past five years, is a great opportunity for first graders to have another book at home, especially one they may not have previously considered picking up.

While the program is relatively new, it targets children in first grade, which Hallowell said is considered a crucial time in literary development.

“This is the year where they’re really learning to read,” she said. “They’re putting words together in kindergarten, but in first grade they’re starting to read.”

Looking ahead, Willey will read and give away books to first graders in Presque Isle as well as Fort Kent, Madawaska, and Frenchville.