Read-A-Book is an intense reading intervention to develop vocabulary, fluency and comprehension among struggling readers who likely do not have books in the home.
Read-A-Book was designed by Wake County teachers to break through specific barriers. The program typically operates before school and participation is voluntary but encouraged. In the Read-A-Book center, students are guided to choose a topic of interest at their reading level… a book that is immediately their own – with their name in it!
The teacher reads the book to the child and encourages the student to return within a week and read the book to the teacher. When the student returns and reads to the teacher, the student chooses another book, and the cycle continues.
These books belong to the student and, most often, are the first and only books the student has ever owned. Some students have read more than 40 books in the Read-A-Book program. The program has operated in many Wake County schools and served more than 400 students annually. Current and prior Read-A-Book schools include Briarcliff, Brier Creek, Bugg, Farmington Woods, Lincoln Heights, Northwoods, Reedy Creek, Dillard, Salem, Swift Creek, Yates Mills, Lake Myra, Hope Charter, and West Lake.
Current funding is from the Rotary Club of Cary, Rotary District grants, and private contributions.
The Read-A-Book program leadership provides consultation and logistical support for starting a program…suggested structure, student selection criteria, parent communication tools in two languages, sample book orders, student goal setting, and data and expense tracking and reporting. It also promotes collaboration among the Read-A-Book literacy champions who lead the individual school-based Read-A-Book programs.
Funds are provided for new book purchases which are made by the school. Schools are encouraged to shop wisely and strive for an average under $3 per title across the K-3 range. Many book publishers provide discounts and/or free books when the books are to be given away. New purchases are supplemented with hundreds of gently used books that are collected and leveled by the Rotary Club prior to delivery to a participating school.
Does it work? Absolutely. WCPSS Data & Accountability has compared the gains of Read-A-Book participants to similar non-participants across Wake County. There were significantly high gains in vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension among Read-A-Book students.
For more information contact Bill Fletcher at 919-880-5301.