Book Buddies is geared for children in 2nd and 3rd grade, although if teachers request a Book Buddy for a first grade student, we will accommodate that request if we can.
Third Grade is a crucial year: it is the year when children should be transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn. This is reading with comprehension. Many third graders are struggling to make this transition; some have learning disabilities, which are complicated and require special interventions.
However, others are struggling because they did not get the foundation at home – they were not read to regularly, they do not see their parents read for enjoyment or even for purpose, and they did not play games that are essential for developing reading skills. They start school with a language and vocabulary deficit that cannot be easily ameliorated within the confines of the classroom.
The core mission of Literacy Connections has been, and will remain, to help adults learn to read, write (and when needed to learn to speak) English so that they can reach their potential. But when adults to come to us to learn to read, they have been living lives of poverty and despair. They are dependent on their communities. It is a not a life anyone would choose; to live in a literate society, that values and rewards education, without this basic skill. We want children to become literate adults.
BOOK BUDDIES are volunteers who give one hour a week (defined as “One lunch hour a week” to go to a nearby school to read with children that teachers have identified as reading below grade level.
BOOK BUDDIES volunteers are: parents, senior volunteers, working volunteers. Recruitment takes place at: work sites, senior programs, PTA’s, etc. The program follows the protocol of the individual schools for vetting volunteers, and for where volunteers will read with their students. (Locations are always IN the school, but can be: in cafeteria, library, hallway, special room, etc.)
Want to Learn More?
Call Julia Litchock at 845-452-8670
Download our Volunteer Enrollment Form