At Faith Christian School, reading is valued for more than simply a source of entertainment.
Through the windows of good books, our students learn to value humility, friendship, love, and gratitude.
If you have ever been lost in the pages of a classic novel, you know that a well-written story can take you on a fantastic journey even as you rest comfortably in a cozy chair. Similarly, lovers of nonfiction may be familiar with the experience of total captivation as they read an in-depth description of the latest scientific advancement or a detailed record of historic events. In all of these cases, the written word opens windows into unfamiliar worlds, far-off places, or days gone by. Truly, we should not underestimate the power of a good book.
At Faith Christian School, we strive to continually bring good literature and informative, vocabulary-enriching texts before our students at even the youngest age. Beginning in Junior Kindergarten, students are exposed to a treasure trove of classic stories that allow them to imagine various aspects of our world in new and exciting ways. As these young readers are introduced to characters such as a kind spider who befriends a timid pig or a boy who dares to rescue a baby dragon, they begin to develop a deeper understanding of human nature by comparing those characters’ relationships, motives, and decisions to their own experiences in life. Thus, reading becomes more than simply a source of entertainment. Through the windows of books, our students learn about humility, friendship, love, and gratitude.
As our students mature and become increasingly independent readers, new windows are opened that offer more complex views to be examined. While safely inside the walls of our school, students read firsthand and fictional accounts of the hardships faced by the pilgrims of Plymouth and settlers of Jamestown. They are offered a glimpse of what life was like for the Ingalls family on the prairie, and they travel to the great land of Narnia where they must grapple with the concepts of morality, hope, and the continuous tug-of-war between good and evil. All the while, they gain a deeper understanding of their own nature and the very nature of God.
Of course, God is the author of the greatest story ever to be told. He created for us a world of wonders and gifted us the limitless capacity for imagination. Holding this to be true, we are eager for students to connect with Him through the pages of His Word along with time-tested, classic stories that point them to what is true, good, and beautiful. We aim to help our students open the windows that will show them who they are as image bearers, how the world has been shaped by those who came before them, and how they might set out to positively influence our culture in the future.
- By Leslie Fitzgerald, Second Grade Teacher