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Literacy Program - The National Literacy Corps
The National Literacy Corps is committed to improving the reading skills of students in grades K-12, using service-learning strategies that empower elementary, middle, and high school students to serve as Leaders for young Readers.
Description
The National Literacy Corps is a cross-age tutoring model that connects upper elementary, middle and high school students to K-3rd grade students. The older students serve as Leaders, strengthening themselves as learners by developing essential competencies in literacy. The K-3 students serve as Readers and experience a partnership that is individualized and meaningful.
About the Read & Lead Program
Read & Lead is a cross-age tutoring model used to implement the National Literacy Corps. According to The National Training Lab's Learning Pyramid, individuals retain 90% of what they learn when they teach it to others. Accordingly, the Leaders in our program -- many of whom may read below grade level themselves-- are reinforcing their own literacy skills through the simple act of teaching it to someone younger. The Leaders learn strategies for reading aloud and for making reading interesting, as well as post-reading activities that test their Reader's comprehension. In their capacity as Leaders, they learn the skills they need to become positive role models, powerful communicators, fluent readers and active, respectful citizens. From the beginning, the older students are placed in positions of responsibility with the expectation that they can, and will, succeed; that they can, and will, have a positive, significant impact on the lives of their Readers. Leaders also often study illiteracy as a community issue and examine ways to effect positive change in their own neighborhoods through a student generated project. No longer viewed as part of the literacy problem, Leaders respond positively and step up to become part of the solution
The K-3 students serve as Readers in an effort to help meet the America Reads Challenge to have all children reading at or above grade level before the end of 3rd grade. The Readers receive individualized instruction, which is crucial to their literacy development. The one-on-one tutoring strengthens their language skills and critical thinking ability in a fun and exciting atmosphere. Participating in this reading experience increases motivation for reading, enhances affective development and creates a partnership that is personal and meaningful.
Program Development
The National Literacy Corps began in Philadelphia high schools in 1991. Over time, the model has been implemented in elementary, middle, and high schools in several states and was adapted for use in England. The National Literacy Corps was recognized as an exemplary model at the President's Summit on America's Future in April 1997. The model incorporates the belief that all young people can be good Leaders and active citizens. Participation in the Read & Lead program allows youth to:
- Prove responsibility as a Leader by respecting others, working inside and outside of class and working as a team.
- Interact positively and actively communicate reading goals with Reader, teacher and community members.
- Foster a love of reading by displaying motivation and enthusiasm during the tutoring session.
- Develop organizational skills by successfully planning, preparing and implementing a Read and Lead Session.
- Think critically by evaluating the tutoring session using a variety of reflection tools.
The strategies for creating a positive one-on-one reading experience have been utilized by college work study students, Foster Grandparents, and National Service Programs such as AmeriCorps and VISTA. Training in facilitating "Read & Lead" programs has been provided to hundreds of AmeriCorps members in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Literacy Training
To order a copy of Read & Lead: A Facilitator's Guide to Implementing the National Literacy Corps click here!
Online Resources
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