SIUE Students Take Elementary School Children on a “Trip” to Germany and Latvia
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduate student Philipp Leyerer had kindergarteners and first-graders at Eagleview Elementary School in Columbia memorize the German names for witch, ghost, pumpkin and more.
Leyerer and Magdalena Sustere, an SIUE senior from Latvia, majoring in music performance cello, were the featured guests Thursday at an assembly at Eagleview. The assembly was the culmination of the International Literacy Day at the School.
Prior to the assembly, 27 guests went to individual classrooms to read to students.
“This year our theme was ‘Lift Off to Literacy’” said Martha Shelton, kindergarten/first grade resource teacher and coordinator of the school’s International Literacy Day. “We wanted to show the children the importance of reading all around the world.”
“Hexe,” the students replied to Leyerer’s question of the German word for witch. “Geist,” was the response to ghost, and they answered “kurbis” for the word for pumpkin.
“Great. Now you know some German words!” said Leyerer, donned in German traditional lederhosen with suspenders. Leyerer works in the SIUE Department of Campus Recreation,.
Sustere delighted the children with several traditional Latvia songs, played on her cello.
“I am wearing a traditional costume from my country, Latvia,” said Sustere, as she took a bow.
“It is important for everyone around the world to learn how to read,” Eagleview Assistant Principal April Becherer told the assembly of students.
“We wanted to show our students that reading is not just important in Columbia or in the U.S., but it is of global significance.”
Eagleview also held a two-week contest to determine how many books the students could read at home. The tally was 6,297 books.
Eagleview has a total of 315 students in preschool through first grade. There are approximately 2,000 students in the Columbia School District.
Photos:
Philipp Leyerer, SIUE graduate student from Germany, reads to Eagleview Elementary School students.
Magdalena Sustere, SIUE senior from Latvia, plays some of her country’s traditional songs on her cello.
Monica Mize (back row), kindergartener teacher, poses with her class and Philipp Leyerer (left) and Magdalena Sustere (right). Mize’s class won the challenge for most books read.
