In order to further its purpose of inspiring in children the love of reading and broadening its relationship with schools, The Wonder of Reading has launched the following new programs:
PRINCIPALS' FORUM
Contact: Shelley Jacobs, Program Director
An annual professional development event that focuses on elementary literacy and library use, this forum is a not-to-be-missed day of learning and interaction between literacy experts and the principals of Wonder of Reading schools each Fall.
Eligibility requirements: Open to principals at all Wonder of Reading schools
LITERACY GRANTS
Contact: Shelley Jacobs, Program Director
The Wonder of Reading annually offers five $5,000 literacy grants as a way for to schools to add new library books and exciting, creative literacy projects to their existing programs. These grants are awarded at our Principals' Forum. Eligible schools have maintained their libraries, library book collections, and volunteer reading partner programs for at least two years and must submit a written application.
Eligibility requirements: Library opened for two or more years; active volunteer program; evidence of maintaining the library facility; evidence of increasing book collection; active Library Leadership Team
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING
Contact: Karyn Lee-Garcia and Sasha Nelson, Volunteer Program Coordinators
These annual professional development events are specifically for The Wonder of Reading volunteer coordinators at each school. They provide an opportunity for coordinators to review program procedures and timelines, learn exciting new volunteer recruitment and retention strategies, and share best practices with coordinators from other schools.
Eligibility requirements: Open to volunteer coordinators at all Wonder of Reading schools
LIBRARY SKILLS WORKSHOP
Contact: Karyn Lee-Garcia, Volunteer Program Coordinator
The one-and-a-half-hour training instructs adults on how libraries are organized, how to utilize specific tools when exploring the library, and how to share these valuable connections with children in order to maximize their library time. This interactive training was designed to make libraries more familiar and accessible to parents, teachers, and volunteer reading partners. It is held in the school library.
Eligibility requirements: Library opened for at least six months
VISITING AUTHOR PROGRAM
Contact: Sasha Nelson, Volunteer Program Coordinator
The Wonder of Reading, in collaboration with local bookstores, brings children’s authors and illustrators into our schools for a free hour-long presentation in the library. These dynamic visits not only include read-alouds by the author, but compelling group discussions and colorful visual presentations.
Eligibility requirements: Library opened for at least one year; active volunteer program; evidence of maintaining the library facility; evidence of increasing book collection; active Library Leadership Team
EXPANDED VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
The Wonder of Reading offers the following programs to enhance our one-on-one reading partner program:
VOLUNTEER DISCUSSION GROUPS
Contact: Karyn Lee-Garcia or Sasha Nelson, Volunteer Program Coordinators
These small, facilitated group discussions are an ideal way for experienced volunteers to meet one another and share their reading partner experiences. These meetings generate an atmosphere of collaboration where new ideas are presented that will help each person improve their student’s reading sessions.
