FERRIDAY — A cafeteria full of costumed second graders showed off their reading skills Thursday morning.

Parents had the chance to hear their children read poetry and perform a small play at the Reader’s Theatre at Ferriday Lower Elementary School.

Lynda Williams’s second-grade class of approximately 25 students recited poems about topics ranging from hot dogs to drying dishes.

Williams said the assignment was a part of her plan to challenge her students more.

“We have high expectations for these kids,” she said. “That is why we are bringing in poetry, art and other things for them to study.”

Williams said the Reader’s Theatre the children put on was something she plans on continuing throughout the school year.

“Every month I want to see parents here listening to their children,” she said. “If parents and teachers work together, we can climb the highest mountains.”

Assistant Principal Bobbie Hinson said Williams’s class is always exciting and that parents should continue to come out and support the work she is doing with their children.

“You should all be proud parents,” she said. “(The children) are all very hard workers who deserve recognition.”

With the success of the first Reader’s Theatre, Williams said the class is off to a good start.

“We are going to continue to do work,” she said. “We are doing excellent, but with children, you always want to do better.”

Parent Chad Grimble attended the event and said the Reader’s Theatre meant a lot to him.

“My job is demanding and I don’t get much time to come out and see my daughter,” Grimble said. “I have to see what I can, and it is special to see her and what she has learned.”

Ty’relle Barnes performed the poem “Rock ‘N’ Roll Band” with five other classmates and said she had fun doing acting out her role.

“Playing the instruments and doing my part was the best,” she said. “I can’t wait to do it again.”