New 'Book Nook' Encouraging Tulsa Students To Read

A Tulsa elementary school is revealing a new way to get students interested in reading.

Teacher Aaron Abel said, "When they see their work, their hard work come to fruition, they are ecstatic about it.”

Hamilton Elementary is one of only 18 schools to win a "Reading Corner." It's described as a well-lit, comfortable space for students to read and be creative, with things like desks that double as white boards.

"It's also gonna be available for parents when they come in the school in the morning to read with their children, and we just love that so much," said spokesperson Jennifer Gear.

Abel led the charge for bringing the $2,500 project to the school. His fourth graders decorated a creative poster to show why Hamilton was deserving.

"Which it's very important for these kids to see that they can be just as competitive as anybody else in Tulsa and in the state," Abel said.

School officials said one thing that makes the book nook stand out from the rest is its mobility.

"They can take the whole nook up to class or break it into half and one of them can go upstairs," they said.

After the ribbon-cutting, several students gave the new "Hamilton Book Nook" a try.

Abel hopes it's only the start for encouraging the kids to let their personalities and imaginations run wild.

"Being able to let their light shine through any adversity that they might foresee," he said.

Westlake Ace Hardware stores and the Finally Light Bulb Company sponsored the project.