IRA Regie Routman Teacher Recognition Grant

Maurna Rome

Maurna Rome has been a Title teacher, literacy coach, and classroom teacher for more than 20 years. She currently teaches 1st grade in Ogilvie, MN. She is a National Board Certified teacher in the area of literacy; reading and language arts for early and middle childhood. She loves teaching children how to read, however her real passion is to motivate children to want to read for the rest of their lives. She is also passionate about the reading/writing connection and family literacy. Her "MAP to Literacy" project will encourage 1st-3rd grade students to engage with exceptional mentor texts to learn from expert authors by exploring their craft and to improve the use of critical reading strategies. Students will also meet with and learn from a professional illustrator/writer during an artist-in-residency visit. Students will write, illustrate and publish a personalized hardcover book that incorporates the six traits of writing. The project will integrate technology with literacy learning as students create video "book trailers" to introduce and promote their books which will be shared with the school community and featured on an on-line journal/blog. The project will culminate with an "Author's Tea" for parents and members of the community, with the goal of promoting home-school partnerships. Maurna shares ideas, insights and inspiration with others through her blog, www.romesreaders.com.