For the love of books

BY CHRISTY MARSTERS

NovaNewsNow.com

Students sharpened literacy skills with the help of guest authors and artists during the sixth annual Family Literacy Week, held at New Minas Elementary School Jan. 21-25. “It was a tremendous week because the enthusiasm in the children was apparent,” Principal Eric Trahan said. “Every day there was something going on. You could see they were all engaged.”

Grade 5 student Sophia Anderson liked the puppet show and the art event the best, but “the whole week was really cool.”

Willie Reid, with the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, attended to help students in an actual printmaking process. He taught them to create print-plates with Styrofoam carvings, inks and brayers. Each student created two numbered prints. “I always enjoy watching students, who might experience difficulty in the structure of regular classroom activities, become engaged and blossom through this process,” said Reid.

Visual literacy is an important aspect to add to the mix for Family Literacy Week, Reid added. “The arts should be recognized in the context of providing students with a truly full and rich education.”

Author Allison Maher also attended for a second year to explore writing as a profession and provide students with a personal learning experience as authors.

Exposure to things running out of the norm - for anyone - can always be a valuable eye-opening experience, Maher said. “You never know when or what it is you tell people that will strike a nerve or inspire them.”