The AMA ESD K-3 Literacy team wrapped up the second year of the AMA Cassroom Library Makeover Series this week. This professional learning opportunity provides teachers the knowledge, guidance, and financial support to build quality classroom libraries that align to the K-3 Essential Instructional Practices. Over the last nine months, 10 teachers across the AMA region created intentional classroom libraries for their students. Some teachers started with only a shelf of books, others started with more, but in the end these teachers changed how students access books, overwhelmingly increased the number of books in their classrooms, purchased books that added value to the diverse lives of their students, and created spaces that are inviting and organized to promote a love of reading for students.
Through the financial support of this series, teachers purchased over 2,500 books, hundreds of new book tubs, and a total of 27 new books shelves that were designed and made by Alpena High School CTE students this year. So far a total of 19 classroom teachers have committed to this deep learning over the last two years. We are proud of the heavy lift teachers put into this project and look forward to Cohort 3 next Fall!
This project includes community partners through local grants, the Alpena County Library, and our local CTE students from Alpena Public Schools. AMA has committed to fund and host this series for a total of 5 years for our districts.