"Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed." - Maria Montessori
Looking through a book while listening to the words that go along with it is one way of giving pre-readers the confidence they need to grasp the complex skill of reading.
My students attend a rare breed of a school: a public Montessori school.
Generally only available in private school settings, this public Montessori is a city wide school (open to all children in the city--not zoned), and it reaches many kids whose families might not be able to afford a Montessori school otherwise.
My Project
In a Montessori setting, children are encouraged to be self directed learners, and this listening station will be available all day, throughout the day to students who are interested in using it. My students need a CD player, batteries, and a set of headphones. Once this donation has been acquired, I plan to use a handful of quality books that have a CD to go with them, which I already own (I bought them before requesting this). The book/CD sets are appropriate for emerging readers, such as Frog and Toad are friends, will contain messages to build a positive self concept (Tacky the Penguin), will promote teamwork (The Giant Jam Sandwich), and will impart environmental, cultural, and overall social justice awareness. I will also shamelessly channel excitement around the holidays towards cultivating an interest in reading (Room on the Broom, etc.). Through this particular piece of equipment, I hope to get the most 'bang for my buck', as I can use an iPod to access additional recordings for books we may already own.
This will undoubtedly be a favorite activity in my classroom!
It will allow children to escape the business of the classroom for 5-10 minutes at a time and delve into the silent and reflective world of reading . . . giving them a taste of how interesting the experience of reading can be. Help children discover their own love of reading!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Miller and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.