This week, our Primary, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary programs participated in Read Across America, an event promoted by the National Education Association (NEA), with the goal to engage schools and communities in a national celebration of reading. In agreement with the NEA, Princeton Montessori School holds that access to inclusive and multicultural literature is a powerful connector and motivator, and that “readers who feel included, recognized, and a part of the world are engaged readers.”
In the Primary Program, the children were introduced to many new books. After reading Families and Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, the children talked about what their families looked like and how they might resembled other family members. One classroom read Thunderboy Jr. and Julian is a Mermaid and had a discussion about Native American cultures and what the children thought they would call ourselves if they could name ourselves. Another class read The Last Stop on Market Street and The invisible String. The teachers talked about Read Across America week and encouraged the children to use the extra days at home, to read or be read to! Often, third-year volunteers read to a younger friend in the classroom.
Lower Elementary commemorated the beginning of Women’s History Month, and Read Across America week, with a discussion, new literature, and a video celebrating the important role of women in American history.
Upper Elementary students read several new books together, and got extra comfortable when they celebrated their Peaceball Pajama Party!
