{"id":729,"date":"2012-01-28T15:01:05","date_gmt":"2012-01-28T20:01:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/school\/?p=729"},"modified":"2014-07-21T11:08:58","modified_gmt":"2014-07-21T15:08:58","slug":"reading-south-of-the-border","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/school\/reading-south-of-the-border\/","title":{"rendered":"Reading South of the Border"},"content":{"rendered":"

In one day over Christmas break, the elementary hallway and classrooms at\u00a0Faith Christian School went through an amazing transformation.\u00a0\u00a0For the following two weeks, the students seemed to\u00a0be joyfully living in\u00a0another country–Mexico!\u00a0 They produced Mexican instruments from recycled materials, sang Mexican songs,\u00a0made flags, learned to say familiar Spanish phrases, traded in the market, and even ate cactus.\u00a0\u00a0What could have produced such a culture transplant?<\/p>\n

Reading\u00a0is Vital<\/h2>\n

Before\u00a0learning about\u00a0the answer to that question, consider that no one associated with raising or educating children questions the value of reading.\u00a0 Most states, including Indiana, are continuing to increase\u00a0reading skills standards for students in an effort to improve college and career readiness.<\/p>\n

Some students\u00a0seem to naturally read for pleasure any chance they get, while others struggle with motivation to read much at all.\u00a0 Such difficulties can stem from\u00a0different interests, lack of early exposure, or simply a slower pace of\u00a0learning reading skills.\u00a0 Motivation and effort increase, however, when students can be shown\u00a0that reading satisfies valuable\u00a0personal interests and needs.\u00a0 All students need to keep growing in their reading and comprehension skills and in the value they ascribe to reading.<\/p>\n

Reading is Fun!<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>Elementary teachers, led by Debbie Grass and Denise Fox, provided the context for building students’ excitement and appreciation for reading.\u00a0 During the two-week “Reading Extravaganza–Reading South of the Border,” each classroom focused on learning more about selected authors and books.\u00a0 The authors were quite varied, so the\u00a0overall theme helped unify the classroom and home activities for students.\u00a0 The theme and authors\u00a0were also integrated into academic subjects for heightened interest.<\/p>\n

We were extremely blessed that an American missionary to Mexico, Mrs. Jamie Hornbrook, gave daily presentations to all the elementary classes.\u00a0 She engaged students in active learning\u00a0while helping them appreciate\u00a0differences seen in other people groups or cultures.\u00a0 These presentations were certainly highlights of each day.\u00a0 As one student stated,\u00a0Reading Extravaganza was “one of the most exciting events of the year!”<\/p>\n

Reading\u00a0is a Ministry Tool<\/h2>\n

God chose to communicate with us through the written Word. What an amazing blessing to be able to read and learn from it!\u00a0 Through reading and writing,\u00a0people can share truth with one another to help each other know God better.\u00a0 This point was made so clearly\u00a0in Mrs. Hornbrook’s final presentation on the spread of the gospel.\u00a0 People can\u00a0also grow in understanding, friendship,\u00a0and compassion toward other people groups and cultures by reading about them.\u00a0\u00a0We can also learn much from<\/em> them.<\/p>\n

In addition to knowing Him, God\u00a0created communication and language so we can also be productive stewards of resources and opportunities through employment and service to others.\u00a0 At Faith, we want to equip students to live effectively in God’s world.\u00a0\u00a0Reading is a critical and enjoyable life skill that helps make that possible.\u00a0 We’re already looking forward to next year’s Extravaganza!<\/p>\n