Reading with Mom and Dad during Bob Sikes ES literacy night (VIDEO)

Rick Minchew and his son, Austin, a Bob Sikes Elementary third-grader, work on a Going Wild About Tiles game during Family Literacy Night.

CRESTVIEW — During Family Literacy Night, Bob Sikes Elementary School families got a jump start on bringing love of reading home.

Kindergartners through second-graders on Tuesday led their moms and dads through numerous games including snowballs, Scrambled Sentences and Word Wizards. Third- through fifth-grade families tried their hands at Writing with the Robertsons, Wild About Reading and Going Wild About Tiles.

After participating in each game for their grade level, students received stamps on a passport that, when completed, could be turned in for a prize.

After the games and activities, the families gathered in the Media Center for story time.

“The goal is for the students to work with their parents and develop interest in books and reading together,” Principal Vicky Hayden said.

Hayden credited Title I teacher Cyndee Laramore for organizing the event. Participating teachers designed the various classroom activities and produced necessary props.

Hayden said the event, which drew 70 families, many with several students, ties in with the school’s reading goals, which involve more interactive student participation.

“Our big focus is to get the students more involved in questioning,” she said. “They’re actually taking responsibility for their own learning.”

Amanda Austin appreciated the hands-on opportunity to be involved with her first-grade son Ryker’s reading education.

“It’s great having the parents involved,” she said.

As Rick Minchew assisted his son, third-grader Austin, in the Going Wild About Tiles game, he said it was a fun and different father-son activity.

“We really enjoyed it,” Minchew said. “Austin really wanted to come and bring me along."

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Reading with Mom and Dad during Bob Sikes ES literacy night (VIDEO)