Schools

Lincoln School Literacy Event Brings Families Back to Class

Parents get glimpse of how teachers' techniques are working in the classrooms, principal said.

When principal Adam Geher introduced the concept of a literacy event to his teachers at Lincoln Elementary School in Caldwell, he believed that enough of the teachers would have an interest to make it a reality, and help him to attract parents to the event. What he didn’t know was that all of the teachers would want to participate and when the event became reality on Thursday, Feb. 20, more than 100 families, nearly 300 parents and children, would attend the first annual Lincoln School Literacy Night. 

“I wanted to share with parents how and why we are focusing on writing in our schools,” said Geher. “The event brought more than 50 percent of our families into the classrooms to see the techniques that our teachers are using and why these techniques work. It was incredible.”

The event began with all 100 families in the school’s multipurpose room, where Geher provided an overview of what teachers are doing to prepare themselves to help the students become better readers and writers, and have fun doing it.  Geher, also a parent in the district, shared his approval of the writing samples that his own children are bringing home from school.

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Parents were provided with a few articles that focus on literacy and given a schedule of events available throughout the evening.  Parents and students could select three of more than eight areas of literacy to explore, from Why Two Languages are Better than One, to Unlocking the Door to Nonfiction Understanding, to That’s a Fact, to Read it in a Snap.

“I attended three sessions, including Reading Like a Storyteller with teachers Ms. Zevin and Mrs. Leven,” said parent Felicia Maloney. “The class explained how a parent could improve their child's reading fluency. Overall, I thought that the night was enjoyable, and I feel I really learned a lot.” Maloney also attended Building Bonds with Books and Log on to Literacy. 

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In Building Bonds with Books, run by fifth grade teacher Christina Dunne, ten fifth grade students provided insights into what they enjoy reading and why. Each student then provided a short summary of a favorite book, and why they believe other students will also enjoy reading it.

Teacher Rebecca Vecchione hosted one of the most popular areas, Log on to Literacy. Parents and their students were eager to hear how technology can be used to increase literacy, and how websites, e-books, e-readers, tablets and more, support the development of reading skills for students in elementary grades.

In third-grade teacher Cara Bakos’ room, Can We Talk had parents and their student work together to learn how to talk to students in grades three to five about what they are reading, and how to ask young readers questions to prompt discussions. 

Parent Joan Dingraudo and her son Trevor attended three sessions as well, including Can We Talk. “What a fun, education event!” said Dingraudo. “We learned great techniques to help keep our children engaged in books.”

“The feedback on Literacy Night has been completely positive,” said Geher. “Although we didn’t expect such an incredible turnout, we are excited that so many parents and students are focused on literacy.”

For more information on Lincoln Elementary School, visit www.cwcboe.org/lincoln.  


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