Rockin' Readers!

Rockin’ Readers! is a summer literacy program for children exiting the first and second grades. All children participating in the program exited first or second grade at or slightly below reading level, but were identified as being “at risk of falling behind” over the summer months. The goal of the program is to combat the loss of literacy skills over the summer and have the children begin second grade or third grade at or above reading level. The Rockin’ Readers Program employs a unique, grassroots concept; it takes reading to the child, into their home and involves the entire family. Trained reading facilitators visit each child four times per week for one hour, one-on-one sessions. Over the course of the five-week program, facilitators spend the majority of the time on reading strategies with the child, and involve parents and siblings in fun, hands-on activities. Preliminary measureable goals are to: improve literacy skills; increase self-esteem; empower parents with effective teaching tools; and increase communication between parent and child, as well as parent and teacher. By educating and involving the family with the learning process, we see more support and reading being done within the family itself. Parents and other adults associated with the students became aware of the strategies being used, the process of helping students, and are more likely to develop an interest in becoming more involved.