Katie Mason, Megan Noll, Elizabeth Fields, and Stephanie Blackton

The team’s innovative teaching idea, “Viking Book Room,” focuses on implementing high-engagement reading materials for students and teachers to use in groups for guided reading, which is a research-based approach to teaching reading and designed to focus on what students need to learn in order to advance. Their Viking Book Room is a literacy-rich space for grade-level teachers where they can "shop" for best-fit books to use during guided reading groups. With the Voya grant, the team plans to provide each of its guided reading groups with high-quality literature to engage students in their reading and writing development. Guided reading allows teachers to cater to the needs of all students, including the ones reading above or below grade levels.