I scream, you scream, we all scream for literacy! Although Maria Montessori probably didn’t scream out positive accolades for literacy, she did have a way of making sure Montessori education included the importance of reading.
“The teacher can use reading to introduce students to the most varied subjects; and the moment they start, they can go on to any limit guided by the single passion for reading,” said Maria Montessori.
And, that is just what Muskegon Montessori Academy of Environmental Change is doing through their Scholastic Sponsor Program this year.
Five teachers from five different classrooms put a call out to parents, community, and friends to see if they would sponsor more than 100 students for the entire academic year for $10.00/student.
The money raised is being used over the course of the school year to purchase $1.00 books from Scholastic. Each month a new book is given to the students in the classroom. They read the book out loud and host a hands-on activity that goes along with it.
The best part – they get to take the book home!
By the end of this year, each child will have collected 10 books. None of this would be possible without the love and support from those who have sponsored this initiative. It is such a gift.
“I’m so proud of our teaching staff who find creative ways to get parents, community and students involved in literacy,” Ali DuBois, head of school at Muskegon Montessori for Environmental Change said.
“This program has had a positive effect on our students, staff and community,” Dubois said. “It is such a joy to see the kids excitement when they receive a book. They feel ownership and pride to be able to start their own library of books at home.”