This fall, singer and songwriter Thaddeus Rex visited Adrian Elementary School to perform “Write like a Rockstar,” a three-part educational program intended to motivate students to read and write.

During the first part of his program, Thaddeus played for all Adrian Elementary students, discussed the song-writing process and explained that reading helped him learn to write music. Then later in the day, he met with Adrian third graders for a more in-depth discussion about songwriting and collaborated with them to write a song about going to the mall.

Reading Intervention Teacher Joanne Edelstein discovered Thaddeus Rex’s program online and made arrangements for the songwriter to perform at school. She also helped secure funds for his performance by applying and successfully obtaining for a grant from Target.

“The students enjoy music,” Mrs. Edelstein said. “And this program lets them see how a person could be successful by writing. Thaddeus made a big connection about getting your ideas from writing from what you read.”

After the school day, Thaddeus performed an hour-long concert for parents and students. He shared that parents can help their children by both reading to them and reading for themselves. He said when parents read, children want to emulate their behavior and read too.

Adrian and all SE-L students may continue to write songs and enter them in Thaddeus Rex’s online contests that happen periodically throughout the year. To learn more, visit his website http://writelikearockstar.com/.