MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The pandemic has undoubtedly affected students in classrooms, but one organization isn’t letting restrictions get them down.
Monongalia County Read Aloud now features “read aloud author videos” on their YouTube channel.
West Virginia authors typically visit classrooms to read their books to children. However, with current COVID restrictions, these in-person readings have been cancelled.
West Virginia authors Marc Harshman and Anna Smucker have recorded two of their books to share with students at Monongalia County schools. Harshman read his classic “Rocks in My Pockets” and Smucker shared his story, “Golden Delicious, A Cinderella Story” about how this apple was first discovered in Clay County.
Monongalia County Read Aloud volunteers said the program gives students something to do that goes beyond their homework.
“Books share a wealth of information, and each type of book is going to reach a different individual, and I just think to show kids that reading is fun, and everyone needs a good foundation in reading, and it gets them excited. It basically gives them publicity to hear the books well and that hopefully gets them enjoying the books and sharing them with others,” said Read Aloud volunteer Diana Claydon.
Claydon hopes readers can return to classrooms once COVID restrictions lift.
“There’s nothing like reading books to kids in person because you get the interaction with them, they can read with you, and they can voice their opinions and that for us, really makes the reading experience aloud a true sharing event,” Claydon mentioned.
Videos of the read-aloud authors are available on the organization’s YouTube channel, here.
