Great Hearts Christos has been full of excitement for literary exploration. The private schools located in Central Phoenix and Gilbert have been immersed in a celebration of literature through the annual Read-a-Thon culminating in a Literary Character Dress Up. The event showcased creativity, imagination, and a deep appreciation for both biblical and classical literature.
The Read-a-Thon celebration served as a testament to the school’s commitment to fostering a love for reading among its students. From kindergarten to fifth grade, students eagerly participated in the festivities, embodying their favorite characters with enthusiasm. The Dean of Campus at Great Hearts Christos Gilbert, Kayla Blasi, emphasized the significance of cultivating a passion for reading. “The school celebration serves to help cultivate students’ appreciation and wonder of literature. A love of reading opens the door for students to develop strong imaginations, increases their knowledge, and cultivates the habit of lifelong learning,” she said.
The Literary Character Dress Up Day brought a variety of characters to the schools, blending tales from the Bible with those from classical literature. Many of the faculty joined in and dressed up as well, inspiring their students’ curiosities about the characters they portrayed, which lead to insightful discussions and interactions.
Jayne Bostow, Dean of Campus at Great Hearts Christos Phoenix, reflected on the day, noting the involvement of the students in their chosen characters. “Whether it was a Bible character or a storybook character, a great deal of time and thought went into each costume,” she said. “Events like this help the students bond as a family of friends.”
The day unfolded with a series of engaging activities, including flashlight reading, bookmark making, and surprise guest readers. Popcorn and gingerbread cookies added a festive touch, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and shared joy.
For parents like Esther Brooks, the celebration was a unique opportunity for children to embody the virtues of their chosen literary, or historical heroes. “’Pretend’ is a powerful tool in the process of growing up. What a child practices they become proficient in. When they dress up as a hero, they are practicing the virtues that the character embodies. While my son opted out of dressing up for the day, he was inspired by his teachers and has become Bilbo Baggins at home most evenings. My daughter couldn’t decide which character to be but settled on Mary Ingalls. She likes to pretend that she and her two younger sisters are the three Ingalls girls from the early books,” she said.
The entire month celebrating Literature at Great Hearts Christos was not just a celebration of literature but a testament to the school’s commitment to fostering a community of readers and thinkers. By engaging in imaginative play and celebrating the tapestry of literary characters, students learned valuable lessons about virtue, empathy, and the transformative power of storytelling, creating memories that will linger in their hearts and minds for years to come.
Christos Academies are a separate, faith-based, non-profit, private school arm of the Great Hearts organization committed to creating and offering the best ecumenical Christian academies in the country. Because they are private schools, the Christos Academies’ programs can, and do, integrate Christ-centered faith formation along with the proven classical model that has made Great Hearts academies the national leader in classical education.
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