Where the Wild Things Are
“Where The Wild Things Are” is a unique event the Arizona Gamma chapter which started almost four years ago. Each spring, Pi Phis work along side a local school, Christensen Elementary, to encourage reading. The program starts with a competition designed for third-grade students based on which students read for the most logged hours. Each week, Pi Phi members visit the classroom to encourage the students to continue reading by donating books to the class and showing the students how fun literacy is. Students are excited about each visit, gaining confidence for both the competition and reading.
While the children are in the midst of the competition, chapter members are hard at work practicing a play an AZ Gamma alumna created based off of the book, Where the Wild Things Are. Many practices are held- each time the women of Pi Beta Phi have a great time.
At the end of the five week competition, the members of our chapter throw the children a party in celebration of their accomplishments. This day is celebrated on Dr. Seuss’s birthday. At this party, top readers are rewarded with prizes. The entire group is then rewarded with a performance of Where the Wild Things Are. At the end of the play, a Pi Phi dressed as the Cat in the Hat makes an appearance and helps to hand out cake.
The whole experience is rewarding for not only the students, but for the Phi Phis as well. The women of our chapter help create a love for reading in the lives of young children. Students are excited for the Pi Phis to visit, and are even more excited to read.