Getting Children Excited About Reading
“My passion is getting children excited about reading,” Stan Tucker of Leap for Literacy shared. “Reading is a critical skill for success.”
Learning to Read
His time in the classroom opened his eyes to the struggle some students have when learning to read. “I planned five different reading lesson plans for the students in my class. Some students were struggling to sound out words, all the way to others who were reading chapter books. All in the same class.”
“Some were being read to at home,” Stan continued. “Others didn’t have that opportunity. Some students had one or more of their own books at home. A few kids didn’t have even one book that could be called their own.”
Didn’t Have Easy Access to Books
Just over four years ago, Stan launched a literacy and kindness program called Leap for Literacy in Atlanta, Georgia. His target audience is students who attend Title 1 schools.
Why focus on Title 1 schools? At least 70% of the students at a Title 1 school receive free or reduced lunch. The program provides supplemental funds to school districts to assist schools with the highest student concentrations of poverty to meet school educational goals.
The students might include: migrant students, students with limited English proficiency, homeless students, students with disabilities, neglected students, delinquent students, at-risk students or any student in need.
Stan discovered that some students in Title 1 schools didn’t have easy access to books, which often leads to reading struggles and the possibility of becoming illiterate.
Read ‘n Roll Bus
When Stan partners with a Title 1 school, he spends 10-15 minutes reading aloud to each class. He then shares a message about the importance of kindness.
“Each of you can earn one book a month off the Read n’ Roll bus by demonstrating an act of kindness each day. It doesn’t cost you anything to be kind, but it makes a world of difference,” Stan shares with the students.
At the end of each month, Stan returns to see each student’s acts of kindness and reading logs. Then he invites each one onto the Read n’ Roll bus to select a book of their choice.
During the course of one school year, a child can receive twelve free books. For the 13th book, Stan flips the script by inviting the students to become authors.
“Every day we are building the story of our lives,” Stan shares. “Are you making others proud? Are you making yourselves proud? When you leave this gym, go out and tell a story that makes you proud.”
He continues by inviting them to write their own story – one from their own life or one they create – in a book with blank lines. The cover says, “I’m ready to be an author!”
Not only is Stan getting kids excited about reading,
but he’s also getting them excited about writing!
Leap for Literacy
Can one man and his organization, Leap for Literacy, impact national literacy rates?
I believe so! Over a two hour breakfast a few Saturdays ago, I watched Stan’s eyes light up as he described how he started Leap for Literacy and the dreams he has for expanding it in the years to come.
“I love seeing the excitement on the kids’ faces as they pick a book to take home. Because they now have their own books, they are enjoying reading and writing,” he shared.
You Want to Make an Impact
Maybe you aren’t a trained reading teacher, but you want to make an impact by helping kids learn to read and write. You can help Stan expand the number of students Leap for Literacy can serve now and in the years to come!
A one-time donation of $30 to Leap for Literacy will sponsor one student so he/she receives 12 books plus one “I want to be an author! book. Click HERE to donate.
Spread the word by wearing a Leap for Literacy t-shirt. Each shirt purchased = one book! Click HERE to purchase a shirt!
Perhaps you don’t have funds right now to donate. That’s OK!
Instead, consider asking your local library or public school if they have volunteer spots for you to read with children who are struggling to learn to read. You will have a one-on-one impact by equipping that child with lifelong learning skills!
Leave a reply (below): Just this week, Stan’s book, Stan and the Man, was published! It’s a tribute to his dad. It tells of the strong bond that was fostered between father and son before his tragic passing but how his enduring traits blossomed into the man he has become today. CONGRATULATIONS, Stan!
What a great concept he has. I agree that illiteracy is a big problem for children in the future. When they get behind it just magnifies itself. It is so sad for me to know that some children don’t even own one book. Parents need to be encouraged to take them to the library and to read to them. This should not be happening in America!
Stan- I’m so proud of your ministry and impact! What a legacy you are creating! Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with others
This is so cool! And such important work. Thank you ?
Love to see this happening!!!Way to go!