By Anna Skinner
As part of an innovative idea to get young students active in reading and writing, author Tyler Whitesides visited Washington Woods Elementary School to give a presentation to fourth grade students on Sept. 25.
Whitesides used different techniques to keep the students’ attention. Through the use of jokes, character impersonation and music, he told the students about his book and his journey throughout the writing process of his “Janitors” series.
He used his overall lesson, to turn ordinary things into extraordinary things, to encourage the children to make the most out of their everyday life.
“It’s really inspiring for me as an author writing for this audience to be able to spend so much time with the readers that are the age group I’m writing for because they inspire news ideas,” Whitesides said. “They keep me wanting to write a book that they enjoy reading because it helps me understand my readers.”
Media specialist Gail Marcopulos said that the school tries to bring authors in twice a year, once to present to the older kids and another to present to those who are younger.
“Having a live author is so good for getting the kids excited about reading,” Marcopulos said. “Every author we have talks about the writing process and how that becomes a part of their life.”
Multiple events throughout the year are used by WWES to encourage kids to keep reading. In addition to Whitesides’ presentation, there will be a book fair at Barnes and Noble on Nov. 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. A portion of the proceeds goes to the library to provide more books.
“These presentations get kids excited about writing and reading,” Marcopulos said.
