Dobbins reads around the world at literacy night

Photo

Neighbors | Submitted.Jospeh Hillyer and Connor Hudran worked together after a lesson in making Mexican salsa from parent volunteer Liliana Fontes.

Photo

Neighbors | Submitted.Lilianna Fontas (right) showed students how to make salsa at Dobbins Family Literacy Night. Students pictured, from left, are Macy Rodgers, Reagan Turner, Kylee Hudran, Marissa Rapp and Sara White.

On the evening of Jan. 16, Dobbins Elementary School hosted its annual family literacy night. This event was open to all first- and third-graders and their families.

The theme of the evening was “Read Around the World,” which was highlighted by exposure to multicultural/international children’s literacy and the goal of helping young students acquire positive perspectives about other cultures. The newly adopted Common Core State Standards require that students become global citizens, and, during the early years, literacy is one of the best ways to do this.

This event featured a ‘passport’ to multiple countries, where students and their families could explore multiple modes of literacy and activities. In addition to providing students with an opportunity to be a tourist to multiple countries, the event also featured to raise money for the school library. With the raised donations, multicultural/international children’s books will be purchased.

With the help of many volunteers, including parents, teachers,and community members, the goals of literacy night were met. Students and their families were exposed to multiple cultures in a positive manner and learned that literacy is not only about reading books.

Other activities included popcorn writing, during which groups of students started a story with each group adding on to it, and story cards.

The goal of Family Literacy Night is to help students increase their awareness and perspective and develop into global citizens.

Event coordinators were Jennifer Nigh and Megan Daley.