From poems in pockets to Maxi and Mr. Magee, over the past year BCEF grants have funded a variety of literacy enhancement programs in Brunswick's public schools.
Chris Van Dusen at Coffin
In May, acclaimed children's author Chris Van Dusen (Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee) spent two days at Coffin Elementary. He visited every class and talked with students about how he writes and illustrates his stories.
Poetry Books at HBS
As a tie-in to this year's Poetry Month and leading up to Poem in Your Pocket Day, a BCEF grant will make possible the purchase of a variety of poetry books for each second-grade class at HBS.
Lynn Plourde at HBS
After all fourth graders and many fifth graders read Maine Student Book Award selection Maxi’s Secret, author Lynn Plourde visited HBS. She presented to all HBS students and then discussed the book and her writing process in more depth with the fourth-grade classes.
HBS Book Nook
The HBS library will open a new, cozy, BCEF-funded "Book Nook" after winter break. Exploring books in a comfortable and quiet setting allows young minds to get lost in reading.
Ben Bishop at BJHS
In June, Ben Bishop, comic and graphic novel author/illustrator visited with BJHS Language Arts students. In his talk, he emphasized the role that hard work and honing his craft has played in his success.
The Telling Room at BJHS
6th grade Language Arts students at BJHS spent two days working with writing educators from the Telling Room on narrative storytelling techniques.
The visit culminated with students sharing their own original stories with an audience of teachers and students.
"Several rather 'quiet' students came alive for the performance! It was amazing how The Telling Room gave them the confidence to find their narrative voice! Bravo!" ~ BJHS 6th Grade Language Arts teacher Carrie Sullivan
Linda Mood Bell Reading Workshop
A BCEF grant provided funding for teachers who work with at-risk populations of struggling readers to participate in a Linda Mood Bell Reading Workshop. This multi-sensory approach improves reading comprehension and decoding for students frustrated with their own lack of progress.