Reading is essential and eighth graders at James Hart School got to show 19 classrooms of primary students at Willow School how it’s done during their special holiday visit Monday.
Teacher Ellen Noonan, eighth grade reading specialist, organized the program with student support teachers Lisa Ablin and Kristen Granato. Three groups of eighth graders came to Willow to visit classrooms, read stories, help with a holiday ornament craft project and share some treats. In all, 80 Hart students participated.
Willow School kindergartener Tianna Davis is busy uncovering the colors on her holiday ornament. (Marilyn Thomas/H-F Chronicle)
“The little kids look up to them, and it’s just a fun day to spread some holiday spirit,” Noonan said. The visit was “to have fun with reading and show the little kids that we read over at James Hart, too.”
Hart students have jumped several levels in their reading abilities since their days in first and second grade, but Noonan said, “a good old picture book is different. They love picture books.”
