By Courtney Tomfohr

Reading Rainbow has ended. For 26 years, the host, LeVar Burton has guided us through the exciting world of children's books. I can hear the theme song in my head ("Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high. Take a look, it's in a book, a Reading Rainbow...). My favorite part came at the end of each show, when real kids gave their personal book recommendations which I would later find at my local library.

Reading Rainbow has won more than two-dozen Emmys and is the third longest-running show in PBS history (Sesame Street and Mister Rogers are 1st and 2nd). As a teacher, I've often chosen "Reading Rainbow" rated books to share with my students. So why, you may be asking, is such a good thing off the air? Is it another casualty of our poor economy?

Well, it is partly due to financial hardship. Someone would have to put up several hundred thousand dollars to renew the show's broadcast rights. Even more significant, however, is the political influence requiring educational programming to focus heavily on the "how" of reading (phonics and spelling).

I teach first and second graders. I am fully aware of the importance of teaching students phonemic awareness, phonics, letter-sound correspondences, and so on, but I also understand the significant value of imparting the love of reading. To be able to get a child to actually take the time to seek out a book, open the pages, and practice using the tools of reading, one must have the motivation to do so. That was Reading Rainbow's mission. It was designed to encourage a love of books and reading.

My primary focus as a teacher of emerging readers is to inspire students to want to read. How? By providing them with an abundance of high interest stories at their reading level and giving them ample time to practice reading. I model my love for reading, share wonderful children's literature, don my pajamas and bumblebee slippers for Get Cozy and Read Day, and hold Family Literacy Nights.

I had the good fortune to be raised in a house filled with books and readers. My mom was (and still is) often found on the living room sofa with a book in hand. I learned early on that if I gave her pleading eyes before bedtime, I was able to up the book quota from 2 to 3 before having to go to sleep. Many of my students come from book deprived environments, but they all have a tv. I am saddened that LeVar Burton won't be ushering them into adventures with books as he did for me. I guess it's up to me to carry on the vision and mission in my classroom, making the love of reading front and center.

You may want to visit the website before it retires on December 31, 2009.

http://pbskids.org/readingrainbow

We can't just be in the business of teaching kids how to read. We must teach them why. But as LeVar said at the end of each show....

"You don't have to take my word for it."

Courtney Tomfohr is a 1/2 grade teacher at Meridian Elementary in Kent, Washington. She is known for the brilliant language she uses when she interacts with children, her gentle ways and humor as an outstanding staff member, her ability to work with families and her passion for teaching.