Members of a new reading club at Eaton-Johnson Middle School are shown above with books in the school’s media center. They include, seated from left Elijah Hawkins, Jawanda Person, Joy Peace, Andrew Tippett and Jashea Hart. Other readers are, standing from left, Elton Fuller, Jakin Perry, Keron Small and Ty’Quian Venable. Dr. Priscilla Chavis-Lockley, a counselor who assists the readers, is standing at the far right.
Dr. Priscilla Chavis-Lockley, a counselor at Eaton-Johnson Middle School, is working with students in the school who want to read additional books beyond what is required for their regular studies.
“Students came to me earlier in the school year and said they really enjoy reading and want to read as many books as possible,” Chavis-Lockley said. “So, I began helping them to have the time to go to our school media center, check out books they want to read and then read them in their spare time. The results have been really impressive.”
Several students, mostly from the eighth and sixth grades at Eaton-Johnson, have joined the new reading club. They keep records of the books, with their titles, that they have read since beginning their special reading efforts in October. Most of the students have read between 10 and 18 books, so far.
“It thought about getting involved, because I like to read,” said sixth grader Andrew Tippett. “I want to get more books to read. I especially like reading the Bones’ books. I also like to read science nonfiction.”
Elijah Hawkins, a sixth grader at Eaton-Johnson Middle School, is shown as he reads to a class at the school during one of his twice weekly reading sessions.
“Reading the books helps with my reading benchmarks (assessments),” added Jakin Perry, an eighth grader. “I think it is good for everybody to learn more. Reading helps to build your vocabulary.”
All of the students plan to continue their special reading activities throughout the remainder of the school year. The eighth graders have already named their group the “Reading Avengers,” an idea originated by Jakuerah Parham, an eighth grader. The sixth-grade students admit they’re still working on a group name. Chavis-Lockley notes that new students are joining the reading club regularly and it is expected to grow significantly as the school year continues.
Elijah Hawkins, a sixth grader, is another member of the special readers. Hawkins, who is a student ambassador at Eaton-Johnson, also devotes his time twice each week for about 20 minutes each time to read to a class of special needs students at Eaton-Johnson. He reads to the class of six students in the morning on Mondays and Thursdays. He currently is reading a few chapters each day of the book, Phantom Stallion, to the students. Each of the students sits quietly and listens intently as Hawkins reads the passages featuring a beautiful horse and several young, human characters. It’s obvious the students enjoy the reading and it’s equally obvious that Hawkins enjoys his reading time with them.