School Visit Spotlight: Growing Readers at Gresham Elementary School

Ludelphia love!

When Angela Moorer, librarian at Gresham Elementary contacted me about a school visit, I was thrilled and inspired. Gresham is a Title 1 Jefferson County Alabama school tucked in the heart of Vestavia. Most of the students are non-readers, so this year, in an effort to change that, Mrs. Moorer created literature circle groups. Each group got to choose a book to read together. One 5th grade group of six chose LEAVING GEE'S BEND. Mrs. Moorer had hoped to travel with these students to Gee's Bend, but she wasn't able to make that happen, so she decided to contact me instead!

Here are some pictures from our (surprise) visit:

Mrs. Moorer and the whole group, with Ludelphia.

Sharing pictures of Gee's Bend quilts.

Answering questions -- and getting answers
from kids who knew the book better than I do!

A class t-shirt and flowers to take home with me...

New wisdom for my "Wisdom of our mothers" quilt:
"Don't be a follower, be a leader."

As Mrs. Moorer was walking me out, I noticed these notes on the library computers:

.... proof that one great librarian can make all the difference in a reader's life! Thank you, Mrs. Moorer! You inspire me! And thank you, students -- I loved meeting you and I am excited for all the reading (and other!) adventures life has in store for you. xo

What a great group!