Literacy Lights Up the Night at Mayfield

A genie who knew all the answers; adults who weren’t smarter than a fifth grader; and Thomas Edison were some of the several hundred people who filled Mayfield Intermediate School at its first annual Family Literacy Night on January 25.

Mayfield serves Manassas City Public Schools’ 1,000 fifth and sixth grade students.

Parents, students and their siblings participated in dozens of literacy activities, such as the Akinator, a computer genie who correctly guessed book characters; a re-enactment of the television show “Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader;” and a Wax Museum with students who dressed as historical figures and came to life at the touch of a button.

Each of the 17 language arts classroom presented or performed a literacy activity. In Mr. Megenhardt’s sixth grade class, students performed a dramatic version of The Three Little Pigs written by their teacher and based on a book by Jon Scieszka. Julie Rodgers’ fifth graders hosted a Talk Show and Luke Krizmanich’s classroom was transformed into a Poetry Lounge.

Students especially enjoyed the 22 book-related snacks which filled the cafeteria. “I really liked the pickles with the book Pickles to Pittsburgh,” said sixth grader Alejandro Bolivar, who portrayed Thomas Edison for the Wax Museum.

A buzz surround Computer Lab teacher Susan Walton’s activity: playing Word Monkey on Apple iPads. “Students were addicted to it! They were lined up waiting because they saw the kids playing it were having so much fun,” Walton said.

“I was surprised there were a lot of snacks and that people won prizes,” said Leonardo Solis, who was thrilled with his win: Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen. Samantha Contreras enjoyed dressing as Elizabeth Katy Stanton for the Wax Museum and “I also liked the snacks, especially the goldfish with the Dr. Suess book.”

The evening was hosted by language arts teachers, librarians and computer lab
teachers. “There was a festival feeling to our school as kids and parents discovered how fun literacy can be,” said Reading Specialist Erin Karicher, who added “Everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves!”

Information from: Mayfield Intermediate School