Reading Grandma

March 13, 2007

By SHARON G. McBRIDE

Frontiersman

WASILLA - Giving kids some individual help with their reading kills and a little grandma love is what Helen Kristiansen hopes to do every week when she volunteers at Snowshoe Elementary School.

She visits the school every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., she patiently sits with third-graders one on one, as they read aloud to her from their favorite books. They work on reading skills and she gives them her undivided attention.

It's a system that seems to be working well, because some students she has worked with since the beginning of the school year have moved up to a higher reading level.

All of the students agreed that reading to &#8220Miss Helen” is something they look forward to each week.

&#8220I like reading to her because it helps me read better,” said Sam Odonnell, 10.

He said he also likes to spend time with Kristiansen, because his grandmother lives in Anchorage.

Most of the students agreed they like spending time with her because their grandparents don't live close to them.

&#8220I like reading with her because she's really nice and really pretty,” said Shyanne Trefon, 9. &#8220And she has helped me improve my reading.”

Trefon said her grandparents live the Lower 48, and she doesn't get to see them as often as she would like.

A lot of kids attending Snowshoe are like Odonnell and Trefon, explained Kristiansen.

&#8220Some don't have grandparents at all,” she said. &#8220So I am the next best thing.”

She doesn't mind giving up her spare time during the week, she said.

&#8220I've found that schools always need volunteers,” Kristiansen said. &#8220The school system is so large. Kids could get lost in the shuffle. Some need personal attention with their school work, and if I didn't come, they might not get it other wise. I think it's rewarding to come.”

Kristiansen has been a regular fixture in Susan Wallin's third-grade class since the start of the school year.

&#8220She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to my classroom,” Wallin said. &#8220We don't know what we would do without her.”

Contact Sharon G. McBride at 352-2250 or sharon.mcbride

@frontiersman.com.