TULSA — We never stop learning and the foundations we lay in school set the pace for a child's life-long journey of discovery.
From learning new topics to experiencing different cultures and feeding their imaginations, the options are endless for books that expand and influence young minds.
2 Works for You's Mike Brooks shows us what it looks like when students are exposed to the adventure of reading.
"In general I just love books a lot."
Statistics show that in Oklahoma only one in four 4th graders reads at a proficient level, and 36% of students lack even basic literacy skills.
That's why for schools like Christa McAuliffe Elementary, reading is a critical part of every school day.
"They supply me with a lot of books. Different kinds of books which helps me a lot," says McAuliffe Elementary student, Hillary Munoz.
For First and Fifth graders, Grace and Hillary, reading is more than just a task.
"I like books because they help me get more interest," says Grace Chang.
"You can read about whatever you want to and you can read to learn or like read to have fun in general," says Hillary.
It's an important part of their growth and knowledge of the world.
"I've learned that not everyone is the same. Not everyone is going to think that you're an amazing person. And not everyone is going to be the nicest person in the world," says Hillary.
From helping students set and achieve reading goals.
"I'm trying to read 100 books," says Grace.
Filming themselves reading to children and spending time outside of work delivering books.
These teachers are all in.
Hillary says, "Every teacher that I've had, teacher after teacher, they've all told me that its fine to love reading and that you should keep growing as a reader. "
Their example, inspiring Grace to start her own YouTube channel, reading books out loud.
"The YouTube channel was more about reading and that helps me get more confidence to read to people," says Grace.
Reading out loud is a challenge for many but nothing that can't be overcome.
Hillary says, "The more I read the more, the better I got at it."
When the school day is done, and these two go home.
They make the transition from student, to teacher.
Modeling the examples they've been shown.
If you want to subscribe and encourage Grace as she reads, you can find her channel by searching "Grace Reads" on YouTube.
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