Readers theater play, ‘Duck for President’

Associated with every school system are fantastic volunteers. Some of the volunteers are single volunteers, others are part of a group. There is a group of volunteers involved with the Albert Lea School system who refer to themselves collectively as “Readers Theater.”

 

What do these volunteers do? They read-play act a story to the 1st through 3rd grade school students of all five schools in Albert Lea. The schools are: Halvorson, Hawthorne, Lake View, Sibler and St. Theodores.

 

The schools invite the readers to read after the readers many times invite themselves.

 

Who are the readers? Alphabetically, so far in this school year, the following have been the entertaining and the entertained.

 

Bill Barber

 

Sue Barber

 

Tom Clawson

 

Joleen Domes

 

Dara Gjersvik

 

Bob Hanson

 

Deb Kollins

 

Katay Paul

 

Barb Schroeder

 

Beth Spande

 

Pat Stumme

 

Beth was one of the founders in 2002.

 

The readers are from all walks of life, ranging from in their fifties to eighties, female and male.

Notice I wrote entertaining and entertained. For example: A. When the reader is introduced to the mom by her 1st grade student at the grocery store. B. when the 2nd grader visits your house for “Trickor Treats at Halloween.” As he takes off his mask while telling you thanks for reading to his 2nd grade class. C. When the 3rd grader walks in with his class, looks around and says in a loud voice, “Where is Bob?” (I wasn't there that day!!)

 

The latest story the readers theater read-play acted was titled “Duck for President.” The story can also be found in each school library, so many of the students had read the book and knew the story.

 

As an introduction, Beth Spande explained the voting coming up on November 5th in the U.S.A.

 

The reader theater group of volunteers were amazed at how many of the students know all about the Election and voting.

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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in New York. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.