Questions Asked By Current Volunteers
The following are questions often asked by our current Wonder of Reading volunteers. If you have any other questions about your volunteer experience, please call us at (310) 289-1201 or send us an e-mail at info@wonderofreading.org.
My student and I spend almost twenty minutes each session talking. Should I keep him focused more on the reading?
Congratulations! It sounds like you have developed a warm and trusting relationship with your student. This is so important because many of our students do not have someone at home to confide in. Also, 85% of our students are English-as-second-language learners, so it is vital for them to converse with an adult in English. So talk away!
My student doesn’t want to read! He only wants to play word games. What should I do?
The Wonder of Reading recommends doing whatever the student enjoys-as long as it has something to do with reading, writing, or words. Word games are a great way for a student to become interested in words and learn new vocabulary. Or you can try to incorporate reading in each session by saving the word games for the last half hour as a reward. Try saying, “Let’s do a bit of reading and then we can play 30 minutes of games.” Good luck!
My student seems very uninterested in our reading sessions.
If you’ve just started working together, your student might feel shy or uncomfortable. This behavior will probably disappear after your student gets to know you better. If this behavior persists, it may be a good idea to get rematched with a student who is eager for the special attention. (There are hundreds of children at each school waiting for a volunteer.)
In the last few months, I’ve found that my student isn’t as focused as he was when we first started working together. How can I get him energized about our reading sessions?
This is a situation that almost all volunteers will face at some time or another. The best suggestion is to keep the sessions fresh and exciting by introducing different activities. If your student tires of reading easily, spend more time writing a short story, drawing, playing word games, or chatting.
I’ve been working with my student for three months. Why am I not seeing progress in his reading ability? I just don’t think I’m making a difference.
Volunteers are eager to see that all of their hard work has made a difference with their students, and they often gauge progress by improvements in reading alone. Many of our students are in the program not just because of reading difficulties, but because they lack confidence, do not participate in class, or have a difficult home situation. To assess your progress thus far, ask yourself these questions: Is your student happy to see you? Does your student show more enthusiasm about reading? Is your student more talkative? Does your student ask more questions about the story?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are making a difference! Please try not to become too focused on improvement in reading, and instead focus on your student’s interests. Learn about his life. Write stories. Draw pictures. Be reliable and friendly. And always remember that making a difference in a child’s reading is a long and slow road, but making a child feel special can be instantaneous.
My student wants to read a book way too advanced for his ability. What should I do?
When students try to read books that are too advanced for them, they might become frustrated and defeated. It is important for students to read on the appropriate level so that they are succeeding with the material. But don’t return that difficult book to the shelf! During the last fifteen minutes of each session, you can read it to him.
My student fidgets a lot. Is this normal?
Very! Most kids have a lot of energy and have a hard time sitting still. Feel free to take breaks during your sessions. Stand up and stretch, or go out into the hallway and do jumping jacks. Try to include some physical activity in your sessions: act out a play, have your student pose like the main character on each page of the story you are reading, or lay flashcards on the ground and have your student step to each word that he gets correct!
I have a first grade student who wants to go back to class after 30 minutes of working together. Is that okay?
Absolutely! Younger students tend to have a shorter attention span and get tired more quickly than older students. You might notice that after working together for a few months that your student will be able to focus longer. Also, try to keep your sessions diversified with games, riddles, drawing, writing, and reading.
I think my student might need to have his eyes tested. How do I know for sure?
Dr. Philip Kligman, professor of early education at California State University Northridge, says the following are symptoms of a visual problem in students: losing place while reading, avoiding close work, poor sitting posture and position while reading, holding reading material closer than normal, moving head excessively while reading, holding body rigid while looking at distant objects, titling head to one side, tending to rub eyes, and thrusting head forward. If you notice symptoms like these, please notify your classroom teacher so the child can be tested.
How do I get in touch with my student’s parents?
Reaching parents is sometimes difficult. This is why our program takes place during school hours. You can attempt to contact parents by leaving word with your teacher, or you can send a note home with your student explaining who you are. The note should say something specific about your student and the work you are doing together. Please keep the letter friendly and non-confrontational. A short example of a letter might be:
“I am a volunteer with The Wonder of Reading, a not-for-profit organization that trains volunteers to read with students. I was matched with Karen, and we have been reading every week in the library. Karen has already read five books and learned ten new words! We are having a great time together, and she is such a nice little girl. My phone number is 555-3496 if you would like to talk to me further about our time together. Have a great day.”
When you give this letter to your student to deliver to her parents or guardians, please read it aloud to her. She’ll be happy to hear your kind words and will be more likely to deliver the letter. About 70% of our volunteers do not hear back from parents, so do not be discouraged.
My student told me that he is being abused at home. What should I do?
Contact the principal, your teacher, and The Wonder of Reading immediately.
My student is always tired. I recently found out that he is going to bed at midnight. What should I do?
Notify the teacher and principal. They may be able to speak to the parents about the importance of getting the child to bed early.
What are the best ways to reward my student for hard work?
There is nothing better than verbal praise. Struggling students often do not receive much praise, so use it freely in your sessions: “Wow! How did you figure out that word?” “You are really learning a lot.” “Good thinking!” “I knew you could do it!” “Let’s count how many letters were in that big word you just got.” “Awesome! Give me five!”
What are appropriate gifts to give to students?
Gifts that have anything to do with reading are recommended: books, pencils, crayons, magazine subscriptions, bookmarks, stickers, coloring books, comic books, writing pads, journals, and erasers. We recommend not giving candy or expensive items.
My student asked me to come to her graduation. Is it appropriate for me to attend?
Of course! Your student thinks highly of you and wants you to be there. This is also a great time to introduce yourself to her family.
My student is graduating from elementary school. Can I follow her to middle school and continue my volunteer work?
The Wonder of Reading works only with elementary schools, so we will be unable to facilitate your needs. A few of our volunteers, however, have continued their volunteering by contacting the middle schools on their own, meeting the principal, and setting up a time with the teacher. Let us know if it works out, and we will continue to include you in our events and on our mailing list. If it doesn’t work out, give us a call and we will rematch you with a new student in one of our schools. Good luck!
I have loved working with my student. Can I continue working with him next year?
Yes! We recommend working with the same student as long as you are able to volunteer. This long-term commitment is life-changing to needy students.
I just attended the volunteer training session and feel overwhelmed with the amount of information presented. What if I don’t remember everything?
Don’t get too bogged down with all of The Wonder of Reading literacy tips in the beginning. It will take a few sessions to get into the swing of things. After a few meetings, review your training packet and see what new item you can introduce to your student. Try to present a new exercise each week. But, most important, remember all you need to be a good volunteer is kindness, compassion, and the desire to help make a difference!
I went all the way to the school and my student was out sick.
Ask the teacher to match you with an alternate student for the hour. There are a lot of children who could benefit from reading with you!
I went to the school and the entire class was out on a field trip.
Talk to the teacher and find out the field trip schedule. Before each session, you can also call the school office to confirm that your teacher’s class will be on campus for the day.
My student is often absent.
Volunteers should be matched with students who have good attendance. Ask the teacher for another student or call The Wonder of Reading to be rematched.
Last time I went to the school, the teacher told me that my student was in the middle of a project and would not be able to read with me.
Politely tell the teacher that you have taken the time to volunteer and that you would like to read with your student. If the teacher is unresponsive, call The Wonder of Reading and we will match you with a teacher who better understands our volunteer program.
My teacher is allowing me to read with my student for only thirty minutes. I thought we were supposed to read for an entire hour.
Yes, our program asks for volunteers to read for the entire hour. Please call The Wonder of Reading and we will see about extending the time you can work with your student. If the teacher is unable to do this, we will work with you to find another student whose teacher can release the child for the entire hour.
My student is going off-track for the next two months. How can I continue to work with him?
A few of our volunteers work with their students while they are out of school. This must be arranged through the student’s parents. To do this, ask your teacher how to get in touch with the parents, or you can send a note to them through your student. (The Wonder of Reading is unable to assist with contacting students’ parents.)
I’m leaving town for the next month and will not be able to volunteer.
Let your student and teacher know your plans. If you will continue volunteering upon your return, assure your student that you will be back. Think about sending your student a postcard from your trip! Postcards can be sent home if you have been given the address by the child’s guardian, or you can send it to the school.
I want to work with two students. How do I go about doing that?
Simply ask your teacher for a second student, or call the Wonder of Reading and we’ll set you up. Many of our volunteers read with more than one student. Please note that we ask that our volunteers read one-on-one with each student.
The teacher has given me little feedback about my student’s progress, and she always seems too busy to talk.
Teachers are very busy, but don’t let that stop you from asking the teacher if you can make a phone appointment to discuss your student. To make the most of your conversation, have a list of specific questions prepared to ask.
The last time I was at the school, the teacher gave me a stack of homework to do with my student.
Politely explain to the teacher that you have been trained as a reading partner, not a homework tutor. Remember, our mission is to get kids excited about reading! If you feel uncomfortable talking to your teacher, please call us and we will be more than happy to explain to your teacher the role you play as a Wonder of Reading volunteer.
I was matched with a student who doesn’t know how to read.
This happens occasionally, especially with 1st and 2nd graders. Since volunteers are not trained to work with nonreaders, please call The Wonder of Reading to be rematched. (Please note that a few volunteers have accepted this great challenge and enjoyed coaching a nonreader.)
What do I do with my TB form?
Turn a copy of the form into the front office at the school. Keep the original for your records.
Since I’ve started volunteering, I’ve noticed so many students who seem to need help. When can The Wonder of Reading place more reading partners here?
We are constantly recruiting and training new volunteers. By the end of the year, we will have 800 volunteers reading in our 89 school sites. That’s a lot of volunteers, but unfortunately not enough to match with the thousands of students who could benefit from the one-on-one reading time. But there is something you can do to change that! Help us spread the word by posting flyers at work, in your gym, on your church or temple bulletin board, and in your local library. Distribute flyers to neighbors. Tell friends and family about your volunteer experience. Sometimes the most unlikely people will be interested in becoming a volunteer. Call The Wonder of Reading for copies of our flier.
If you are a current Wonder of Reading volunteer and wish to add a question to this list, please call Program Assistant at (310) 289-1201 or send an e-mail to: info@wonderofreading.org.
