Thirteen Reading with Rover dog/handler teams came to AG Bell on March 5th for our first Evening with the Doggies event as a way to celebrate reading during Read Across America week. Fifty kindergarten through 2nd grade students came with their parents to read to the dogs. It was a spectacular evening of reading and a huge success. Each child took turns sitting down next to a Rover dog and read while the dog listened! It was a no-stress way to practice reading since the dog will never judge the child’s reading ability.
Two teachers at Bell have dogs that are registered with the Reading with Rover program. Mrs. Daly, a first grade teacher, has two dogs: Silas, a golden lab/mix and Jett, a black lab. Mrs. Hembree, the Librarian, also has a Bernese Mountain Dog named Reese who participates in the program.
If you are looking for a fun way for your child to practice their reading, then Reading with Rover might be a fun choice! Your child could try reading at one of the local Reading with Rover events. Reading with Rover is a community based literacy program where dog/handler teams volunteer in schools, bookstores and libraries in the Puget Sound area. There is no cost involved.
Both Mrs. Daly and Mrs. Hembree dogs regularly volunteer with Rover on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:30-7:30pm at the Borders Bookstore in Redmond. Check out the Rover website at www.readingwithrover.org and “Sniff out our Events”!