Students in Michael Bonick's 1st grade class at Marsh Pointe Elementary in Palm Beach Gardens are really good readers.
Bonick credits singer Tony Bennett for inspiring the children wanting to pick up a book.
"Music and songs they have certain rhythm to them, they are all different and his music in particular has a different ebb and flow to it," Bonick said.
He taught the kids Bennett's song "Rags to Riches."
"It was lots of fun learning about it, he was a singer and a famous song," said seven-year-old Brooke Spellman.
"Really fun and it helps me to learn a lot of words and it helped me with spelling tests," said Logan Pugh, who is also 7.
Learning the song encouraged the children to learn new words. Then the class got a big surprise. The singer saw a video of the youngsters singing and was thrilled to hear his music is impacting young lives.
He sent the class a thank you video.
"Kids are so motivated by certain things, it makes them click to learn. Music is a great thing to infuse into a curriculum. Having Tony Bennett, who is 90-years-old, who is a great role model, who is all about positivity is another thing to expose to the kids," Bonick said.