As a Reading Challenge reward, author Daryl Cobb entertained Willow Creek Elementary students, singing songs and playing his guitar, and performed an interactive read aloud of his book, “Do Pirates Go To Willow Creek Elementary?”
Willow Creek Elementary Intervention Specialist Crystal Nace explained that students participate in a reading challenge three times a year. Those who complete the challenge are rewarded. For the second trimester they were challenged to read at least 15 minutes a day for 30 different days. As a reward, Nace invited Cobb to entertain students and share his experiences as an author.
“I try to reward them somehow and what better way than to bring an author in and get their ideas flowing and get them more interested in reading books and maybe becoming an author one day themselves,” said Nace. “I like the pirate theme and how much he interacts with the children, he gets them interested, he gets them excited. I wanted someone who would draw them into the assembly instead of just preaching to them.”
During assemblies, students shouted and cheered, sang along with Cobb while he danced and acted silly to bring them into the stories he told, such as the story about Danny Dinosaur which was inspired by his son who loves dinosaurs.
“I love his energy. I love his enthusiasm,” said Nace.
“Keeping it active and involved helps keep their attention otherwise you just loose them,” said Cobb. “For 60 minutes they were riveted and that’s what you’re going for.”
His goal is to “celebrate reading and writing.”
The author, and song writer, not only entertained but he also explained the writing process.
“He explained where some of the ideas came from for his books and then he shared those books with the kids so they could hopefully see the connection between where his ideas came from and the books,” said Nace.
Nace loved that Cobb wrote a book specifically featuring people from Willow Creek Elementary in his book “Do Pirates Go To Willow Creek Elementary?”
“It’s a pirate theme and it’s centered around school… takes them on an adventure,” said Nace. “Also, he included every single staff name at Willow Creek into this book.”
“My hope is that they get excited about reading,” said Cobb. “I think with the teachers’ names added to the book and the school information added to the book I think it just gives it that little bit more excitement that will pull those readers, some of the non-readers, into actually picking up a book where they might not have picked up a book before. Active participation is what I seek no matter what I do.”
Throughout the day, the author also visited the kindergarten and first grade classrooms and met with select 3rd and 4th graders for Q & A lunch sessions.
“I want them to understand that reading and writing is fun. Whether you’re doing it through storytelling or you’re doing it through music, that it is fun thing to do and be creative,” said Cobb between assemblies. “For the older students I also want them to take away different moments that will help them in their writing careers.”
Cobb talked about conflict in a story and about detail, as well as where ideas come from. He hopes they walk away with a better place to search for story ideas and ways to solve some of the problems they run into in class.
“Getting them to read and a love of books is where I’m hoping this journey ends,” said Nace. “Bringing (Cobb) into Willow Creek really helped the children become interested in reading and wanting to read.”
