Procedure for the Community Reading Improvement Program

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• Choose school to conduct program - In most cases, there will be an elementary school that is close to your school, or there is one with which you have a connection. These are the first schools you should approach to set up your Read & Lead™program
• If you are a member of a church group, you can conduct the Read & Lead™ program at your church at times compatible with church services and functions. Read & Lead™is a welcome addition to the Sunday School or day care program.
• If you are conducting your Read & Lead™ program outside the church or school, you must identify students to mentor and a regular place to conduct your program: home, apartment, civic center, library, Boy's/Girl's Clubs, Scout hut, etc. You also must receive written permission from the parents of the student(s)
• Contact the Elementary School Principal, church pastor or parent. Explain that you desire to set up a Read & Lead™Reading Improvement Program at his/her school or church. Emphasize that the Read & Lead™Reading Improvement Program is different from similar programs in that Read & Lead™encourages high school and college students to mentor elementary school students. Most other programs emphasize older adults and senior citizens tutoring kids. While these programs are definitely beneficial and should be supported and encouraged, Read & Lead™sees benefits to both the elementary student and the high school and student in the mentor relationship. Through focusing on "Youth helping Youth," Read & Lead™benefits both the mentor and the elementary school student. Probably the principal will direct you to the librarian, the teacher in charge of the extended day program and/or an interested teacher who will assign a student to you to mentor. In the case of a church, the pastor will refer you to the Sunday School Superintendent, day care director or youth leader.
• If you are conducting Read & Lead™as an individual or a part of a civic organization or neighborhood group, always approach the people in charge, especially the parents. Explain the program and get their permission and help.
• Meet with the librarian or teacher who will assign you a child. Remember, the teacher, school or church representative is the Boss. They know from experience and education what is best for their children. You are there to help them by being a positive role model for their students and by giving personal attention to a young student by reading him/her books that you are assigned.
  Explain that the primary focus of the Read & Lead™Reading Improvement Program is "Youth helping Youth" to encourage reading and to make friends through reading.
  • Request that the educator choose an appropriate student for each Read & Lead™mentor.
  • Get a list of suggested books from the school or church educator.
  • Ask educator's advice on how best to help the student.
  • Ask educator to introduce you to the student
  • Set up a definite time and place to meet student.
  • Preferably meet in the school library where help can be obtained from the librarian.
  • Since most Read & Lead™mentors are in school themselves, you must be able to meet the elementary school student after your classes are over. Therefore, the choice of the student to mentor must correspond to your school schedule. Today, many schools have the "extended day" program, which means that many children will remain at the elementary school until 5:00 or when their parents get off work.
  • If Read & Lead™is being conducted outside of school, then you can develop an appropriate time to fit your circumstances, such as Sundays at church or at night in your neighborhood.
  • Time commitment -- You should devote 30-60 minutes per week to your student. It is important that you are able to be on time every week. A 60-minute commitment is recommended because young children do not like to be rushed. There will certainly be several minutes of getting to know each other before and after reading starts. Be sure to leave ample time for you to read to your reading friend. Don't get too carried away in your conversation that you don't have time for the main purpose of your visit -- encouraging your student to read books by reading out loud to him/her.
  • Let your reading friend read to you. If your reading friend wants to read to you, let him/her do so. But, be sure you have gotten permission from the educator or parent in charge. Also, you'll want to get a list of appropriate books so the material will not be too difficult. We certainly don't want to discourage the child.