NORWAY ELEMENTARY FIRST-GRADE students gather in a reading group with books purchased with a Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel mini-grant. From left are Reece Oberdorfer, Fred Occhietti, Azalea Dahlman and Jacie Baij.

NORWAY — The Dickinson County chapter of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel awarded a $250 mini-grant earlier this school year to Rae Anne Seat, a first-grade teacher at Norway Elementary School.

Seat’s grant requested funding to purchase additional reading materials for her classroom, specifically books in quantities of seven online to fit her readers’ needs.

She requested funds for early reading chapter books. Many students left kindergarten as readers; therefore, additional books to supplement her reading series were needed in order to meet the needs of her students.

“I plan to use the books in small group instruction, focusing on fluency and comprehension. My students are eager to read chapter books, and I am looking forward to meeting them where they are currently for instruction. As we progress, I am hoping we can focus on reading to self with the ability to also comprehend. Components will also include partner reading and eventually reading to self,” Seat said.

According to Seat, “The books have meant so much to us this year. We have very strong readers and they enjoyed stories across many levels. We have met so many interesting characters.”

MARSP is an organization made up of retired school personnel and is glad to help area teachers with projects through these mini-grants.