Guest Readers Program brings community into the classroom

Twice a week, folks from the greater Lincoln community come to Cailey DenBoer's first grade classroom to read to her students and initiate a lively discussion with questions and answers about their book. The children gather around the guest reader in the library corner of the room and listen with rapt attention.

One component of the attention-getting events are the new guests. Who are they? What book did they bring? DenBoer's goals for the visit are for the students to practice polite social skills (raising hands and quietly listening) and greater exposure to new people who might be different from those whom they see every day.

On Monday, March 14, Lincoln grad Trish Korman brought in a colorful book about emotions. What are they? How can we cope with different emotions? Is it OK to be mad, scared or confused?

In a question-and-answer format, Korman asked the students about their personal coping strategies. When asked, "what makes you feel scared?" Brody answered, "When bears get into our shed!"

Now, there's a Lincoln boy.

Students shared how they manage their emotions, and everyone wanted to add to the discussion by politely raising their hands. One emotion that generated a lot of response was, "What makes you feel loved?"

"When my mommy reads to me," said Dylan.

Korman, a special education teacher on spring break from her classroom in Great Falls, knew which special book to bring.

Anyone who would enjoy a half hour of reading to the Lincoln first grade students should call Danielle Barnett at the school to sign up.