Questions Asked By New Volunteers
The following questions are often asked by new Wonder of Reading volunteers. If you have any other questions, please send us an email at info@wonderofreading.org or call us at (310) 289-1201. Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer!
What do The Wonder of Reading volunteers do?
The Wonder of Reading volunteers are reading partners, mentors, and friends to students who are one or two grades behind in their reading. Volunteers are matched with elementary school students (1st through 5th graders) who are struggling with their reading. Volulnteers are matched with one student and read with that student one-on-one each week.
What is the time commitment?
We ask that our volunteers read with their students one hour each week or every other week for a six month period. Most of our volunteers read with their student every week for the entire school year. This long-term commitment makes a tremendous difference in students’ lives.
What time of day do volunteers work with their students?
Volunteers read with their student during school hours. School hours vary at our schools, but typically they are from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
How do I set my volunteer time?
The volunteer meets with the teacher, and together they pick the hour that best suits their schedules.
Can I volunteer to read with a student on the weekend or in the evening?
No, we only have volunteers reading with students during school hours.
Do I have to volunteer the same hour every week?
It is preferred that volunteers read with their student the same hour every week for consistency, but we do have some volunteers who have unpredictable schedules. If you cannot commit to the same hour each week, discuss this with your teacher and decide on a plan that works best for both of you.
What if I have to go out of town? How does that affect my volunteering?
We all have plans that come up throughout the year. Simply tell your teacher and student that you will be out of town and will miss sessions. Remember to tell your student when you plan to be back; he or she will be eagerly awaiting your return!
How are students selected for the program?
Teachers select students from their classroom who are one or two grades behind in their reading. Teachers also select students who do not actively participate in class activities, have a difficult family life, need practice reading and speaking English with an adult, or could benefit from the special attention of a reading partner.
Are the students embarrassed about being removed from class?
Almost never! If anything, they are thrilled by the special attention. All of the other students in the class will want to join you as well!
Where do volunteers read with their students?
Volunteers read with their students in the newly renovated library. The Wonder of Reading builds three private study stations in each library for volunteers to read with students. Also, the library is filled with hundreds of new books to choose from!
What type of training is provided for Wonder of Reading volunteers?
All Wonder of Reading volunteers must attend one of our three-hour volunteer training sessions. The trainings are student-centered and involve many different activities, including paired reading, reciprocal questioning, playing word games, and phonics exercises. Developed by Dr. Philip Kligman, professor of elementary education at California State University at Northridge, the volunteer training focuses on having fun with reading. It emphasizes getting students excited about reading so that they will become life-long readers and thus life-long learners. It prepares volunteers to work for one hour with their student, a time period that is essential for maximizing the impact of these sessions. (Please see a list of our upcoming trainings by going back to our Homepage and clicking on Events and Openings.)
Does your volunteer training focus on phonics or whole language teaching methods?
While the three hour training incorporates both methods, The Wonder of Reading focuses on getting to know students’ interests, selecting books that students will respond to, asking lots of questions, drawing out students’ creativity through writing and drawing, playing exciting word games, and being a friend and mentor.
Where are the volunteer trainings?
The Wonder of Reading volunteer trainings are offered at our many school sites throughout Los Angeles. Volunteers attend any one training and are then placed at a Wonder of Reading School site of their choice.
Do I have to volunteer at the school where I attend the training?
Absolutely not! Our volunteers can select any of our school sites for their volunteer service. Sometimes our trainings have 25 volunteers who all select different school sites.
I have already been trained by another literacy organization (Reading by 9, Rolling Readers, Time to Read, Book Pals, etc.). Do I have to go through The Wonder of Reading’s volunteer training?
Yes. During our volunteer training, The Wonder of Reading discusses specific administrative requirements that you must be aware of in order to volunteer. Since the educational portion of our training was developed by an education professor from California State University at Northridge, it is an excellent opportunity to learn new reading tips and brush up on information learned at previous trainings. The Wonder of Reading training is also a great way to meet fellow volunteers and to become acquainted with The Wonder of Reading staff.
I am a retired teacher (literacy coach, principal, professor, etc.). Do I have to attend the training?
Yes. Our training deals with specific administrative requirements that all volunteers must be aware of before beginning service at a school. Since our training was created by an education professor from California State University at Northridge, we discuss many exciting ideas that some teachers are unfamiliar with. In the past eight years, we have trained hundreds of teachers and school administrators. Most of them are amazed by how much they learn!
I’m not trained as a teacher. Can I still volunteer?
The Wonder of Reading volunteers are not teachers. We leave the complicated task of teaching reading to the experts - the classroom teachers. Our volunteers’ purpose is to inspire in children the love of reading by introducing exciting literature and making reading fun!
There is a school in my neighborhood that isn’t on your list. Can I volunteer at that school as a Wonder of Reading volunteer?
The Wonder of Reading places volunteers only into our school sites because our 3R Program (Renovate, Restock, and Read) is more than just a volunteer reading program. First, we work directly with schools passionate about literacy to build an inviting and quiet place to read. Then we restock the library with beautiful new books. Finally, we train people like you to read one-on-one with struggling students in those schools. We find that schools committed to bringing the 3R Program to their students offer a warm and supportive environment for their volunteers as well.
Who are The Wonder of Reading volunteers?
Our volunteers are accountants, professors, retirees, stay-at-home mothers, agents, actors, screenwriters, CEO’s, artists, musicians, poets, editors, doctors, Junior League members, police officers, firemen, attorneys, mechanics, engineers, business owners, studio executives, waiters, college students, private investigators, human resource specialists, retired teachers, assistants, librarians, and physical therapists, (to name just a few). We have a diverse group of volunteers of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds.
Is there a minimum age to volunteer?
Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.
How is The Wonder of Reading different from other children’s literacy organizations in Los Angeles?
There are several outstanding literacy programs in Los Angeles that match adult volunteers with students who are having reading difficulties. The Wonder of Reading is unique in that we develop and implement the 3R Program (Renovate, Restock, and Read) in public elementary schools. First, we renovate the school’s library, making it more useful and more inviting to young students. Second, we work with the school library committee to replace outdated and ruined books with $10,000 worth of new books to restock the library’s collection. Finally, we recruit and train volunteers to read one-on-one with students in the new library!
The Wonder of Reading reaches all students in the school, since every child spends time in the renovated library reading the brand new books. In the last eight years, we have expanded and renovated 111 libraries and have reached 145,000 elementary school students in the Los Angeles area.
Our volunteer reading program is different from a majority of those in Los Angeles, as well. While most literacy organizations recruit volunteers and place them into school sites, The Wonder of Reading teaches each school how to recruit their own volunteers. The schools become experts in recruiting and managing their own volunteer effort and do not have to rely on an outside source for volunteers. The Wonder of Reading then trains the volunteers. Since our training was created by a professor from California State University at Northridge, we are able to teach volunteers cutting edge reading methods that will inspire in their students the love of reading.
The Wonder of Reading provides a significant amount of support for the volunteers through regular follow-up phone calls, and we are available each day to answer questions or to provide assistance. We work closely with the school-designated volunteer coordinator to support the volunteer’s needs. We consistently seek to enhance the program by soliciting input from the volunteers and teachers, who are asked to complete annual questionnaires. We also show our appreciation for the volunteer’s service by sending birthday cards, holiday thank you gifts, and by hosting an annual volunteer and student recognition event.
Does one hour a week really make a difference?
More than you could ever know! We have seen such amazing results with our reading program-shy students are suddenly asking questions, children with low self-esteem have more confidence, and students reading well below grade level catch up with the rest of the class. You can make a difference in the world, and it takes only one hour each week during the school day. Please give us a call today to become a volunteer with The Wonder of Reading, (310) 289-1201. Thank you!
