Struggling readers at Cawston Primary are getting a leg up from One To One, a children’s literacy program with a proven track record in making a difference. Now the program is coming to Similkameen Elementary Secondary School.
“We’re looking for volunteers who have an interest in reading with children,” said the program’s district coordinator, Dawn Renaud. “Our tutors may be retired teachers and education specialists, empty nesters who simply love reading, stay-home parents, shift-workers, or seasonal employees.”
Each tutor reads one-to-one with the same three students for half an hour each, one day a week for twelve weeks. “The students participate at least three times a week, so they’ll be reading with up to four different tutors each week,” said Renaud. “It’s important that all of our tutors understand the different reading strategies we’re encouraging, and how we communicate with one another. We provide a free three-hour training session, and any other support the tutors need.”
The information collected by the tutors is passed along to the child’s classroom teacher. “Over the twelve weeks, there is usually significant improvement in the child’s reading,” added Renaud. “Our goal is to get them caught up with their peers as soon as possible, so they won’t fall behind in their learning.”
The program isn’t designed for children with an identified learning disability or problem behaviours. “Those students should be receiving qualified professional help from staff,” Renaud said. “We’re there to support the children who just need a bit of extra one-to-one attention.”
Tutors start by getting the children excited about books. “Some kids grow up in homes where they don’t see someone settling in with a book just for pleasure,” commented Renaud. “Others have been frustrated or embarrassed at some point, so they avoid reading instead of practicing and improving, which means they fall further behind.” The extra practice with the volunteers helps close that gap.
“By the time they reach grade four, they’re expected to read in order to learn,” Renaud said. “We want to help them with their fluency and comprehension, and get them confident about their reading.”
Training is underway now in Keremeos. Interested adults can contact Renaud at 250.493.7554 or literacynowsos@gmail.com for more information.
Contributed by Dawn Renaud, Assistant Literacy Coordinator, Literacy Now South Okanagan - SImilkameen