Corbin Montessori students wow preschoolers with holiday event

Twelve students in the Corbin School of Innovation’s Montessori program served approximately 130 preschool students on Tuesday.

The holiday themed event allowed preschoolers to interact with high school students while making crafts, getting their faces painted, drinking hot chocolate with Mrs. Claus and getting their photo taken with Santa.

Montessori is a project-based learning style where students learn lessons through hands on activities, said Alisha Hammack, a secondary Montessori teacher at the Corbin School of Innovation.

Hammack said the preschool event was a combination of a community service activity and a business lesson.

Community service is one element of the Montessori program.

Hammack said many of the students who enter the program are timid and quiet, but as they progress through the grades, students become more outgoing.

“They wanted to make an impact on the younger generation,” said Hammack as she explained why the students had chosen to serve the preschoolers.

Each preschool student left with a book and two toys as well as a copy of their photo with Santa and several crafts.

The high school students spent time collecting donations, conducting inventory on donated items and more.

Each of the activity stations were designed and set up by the Montessori students.

“My students have really stepped up and stepped outside their comfort zones,” said Hammack.

She said seeing the event come to life has been amazing.