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Students learn about magical world of reading
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Neighbors | Pam Jadue.Magician Stephen Knight performed for the students of Lynn Kirk Elementary School April 1 to encourage students to read.
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Neighbors | Pam Jadue.Kindergarten students Julie Ostrowski (left) and Helena Snyder of Lynn Kirk Elementary watch in amazement as magician Stephen Knight performs at their school.
By PAM JADUE
Students at Lynn Kirk Elementary School were entertained April 1 by magician Stephen Knight as part of the school’s literacy program.
Students who gathered in the school’s all-purpose room enthusiastically watched and participated as Knight amazed them, conjuring up tricks and illusions that made it appear that he was able to make impossible things happen.
Knight is an entertainer from Columbus, Ohio, who has performed in schools, libraries and theaters all over the country, combining magic and storytelling.
“I combine magic with education as I highlight popular children’s books and demonstrate how good reading skills can open the doorway to a bright future,” Knight said.
Students were excited by the performance, as was evident with the sounds of amazement as Knight worked his magic. His tricks and illusions were designed to puzzle and entertain the students at the same time.
Describing the students assembled for the program as “lively,” he engaged the audience by inviting a few students to assist on stage and by connecting the show to what they have experienced in reading class.
“During this program I try to stress the importance of learning new things and stretching your imagination. I use the magic to grab their attention and tie it to the books and characters they are familiar with through reading,” said Knight.
Students enjoyed Knight’s retelling of the story of “Midas and the Golden Touch” as he appeared to pull magic gold coins from a student’s ear. Similar displays took place during the show as Knight worked various storylines into the magic tricks.
“I try to design the trick with a cliffhanger that will encourage the audience to pick up the book and finish the story on their own,” he said.
He included examples of classical tales along with newly-popular characters in his 45-minute performance. He ended his performance by explaining to the students that there is so much out there for them to read that they could never run out of reading material.
He encouraged them to read the newspaper as he ripped up the newspaper he had on display into small pieces and then magically put it back together.
“This event was planned as part of our school’s literacy program,” said Lynn Kirk principal Anthony Russo.