We are thrilled to introduce the Geodes Decodable Reader program to our Lower Elementary students. Aligned with the Montessori philosophy of nurturing independent learning and natural curiosity, the Geodes program empowers children to explore language at their own pace, supporting their journey toward becoming confident, self-motivated, life-long readers.
Geodes is a comprehensive literacy program that fosters student independence and a deep, contextual understanding of the world around them. Aligned with Montessori’s emphasis on hands-on learning and individualized education, Geodes allows students to apply their phonics skills in meaningful ways while exploring their interests. The program is thoughtfully designed to correlate with the phonetic skills presented in students’ Fundations lessons, supporting the Montessori practice of following the child’s natural learning progression. For instance, if a student is working on digraphs during their Fundations lesson, they will encounter that same skill in isolation within the corresponding Geodes module. This alignment not only reinforces their learning but also enhances their exposure to essential reading concepts, encouraging a lifelong love of learning in a nurturing and supportive environment.
At the core of the Montessori philosophy is the belief that every book—regardless of a child’s phonemic awareness level—presents exciting learning opportunities. ASM’s literacy program is specifically crafted to expand students’ knowledge and creativity, ensuring that enriching literacy experiences are available to all children, even as they master basic reading skills. The inclusion of texts that explore diverse places around the world not only enriches students’ vocabulary but also plays a critical role in our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. By incorporating literature that reflects diverse identities and global experiences, we ensure that our classroom resources are representative of our students’ lives and the world they inhabit.
One of the standout benefits of integrating Geodes into the ASM literacy curriculum is that this series of texts are highly decodable. This enables students to leverage their existing decoding skills to read most of the content independently. When a child encounters unfamiliar words, they can apply strategies such as context clues and utilize techniques like dual reading. In dual reading, the student reads one line of text while the teacher reads the following line, which often contains words the student has not yet mastered. This approach provides access to higher-level content in the text without being restricted by their current decoding abilities. As a result, students can engage with more sophisticated material while still receiving the necessary support for comprehension.
The Geodes Decodable Reader program is an exciting addition to our Lower Elementary classrooms, enriching our Montessori approach by integrating phonics with captivating content that encourages children to explore language independently. By aligning with Andover School of Montessori’s emphasis on fostering curiosity and a lifelong love for learning, this program helps cultivate confident readers who can engage deeply and joyfully with the world of books.
