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My favorite moment from this past semester with Book Buddies happened on the last day I read with one of my Buddies and he was able to finish a whole book by himself. Other than this being a huge achievement for this particular student, the first time I read this particular book with him at the beginning of the semester, he wasn't even able to read half the book by himself. Knowing that I was able to see him progress through the book was a special moment for me.
- Kelly Z., Open Books Buddy
Open Books is truly a rewarding experience. No matter what is going on in your day, week or your life it is all forgotten when you see the faces of your little Buddies waiting for you when you walk down the hall.
- Mitch F., Open Books Buddy
One of the best indications I had of how much confidence one of my Reading Buddies had gained was when she decided that it was her turn to teach me. So she flashed the cards, pronounced carefully if I wasn't precise, and encouraged me with a 'that's GOOD' at appropriate intervals. Best way to learn is to teach something you know!
- Ann A., Open Books Buddy
It was great to spend quality one-on-one time reading with my Buddies at Schiller and see their response to the opportunity; one of them told me "I've been waiting for this all week." I could not put it better myself.
- Steve T., Open Books Buddy
If reading is an important part of your life, it feels very
gratifying to be able to share this passion with somebody else, especially somebody who is still at an age so susceptible to influence. What I love about the program is that it promotes literacy but in an informal manner that's always focused on positive reinforcement and play-based methodology. It strives to equate reading with fun, and if one is to judge the approach by the smiles of the kids then it's definitely doing just that!
- Beata D. Open Books Buddy
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Open Books Buddies is simple and fun! Adult volunteers and elementary school students experience the joy of reading together each week at schools around Chicagoland. The Big Buddy’s job is to be a friend and role model whose love of books is contagious and maybe even life-changing for the Little Buddy. Adults listen enthusiastically as students read aloud, take turns reading when a child has her heart set on a tough book, show ways to figure out unknown words, and model expressive reading. (Silly or dramatic voices are highly encouraged!)
Want to volunteer as a
Reading Buddy? Great!
Check the schedule
and let us know when and where!
volunteer@open-books.org |
Why do kids need reading Buddies?
One-on-one reading and discussion are key to a child’s learning and development. But studies show many Chicagoland students have no books at home and that more than half of adults in the city cannot read on a 4th grade level. Literacy skills are life skills – intrinsically linked to work and health, poverty and crime – so Open Books aims to provide fun, caring readers and engaging, unforgettable books where they are needed most. Together with volunteers, book donors, and financial supporters, we can help build a healthier, happier Chicago, one child at a time.
How it would work on your campus:
The program can be set up one of two ways, depending on the needs of the school:
Option 1. Volunteers can work in the same K-4th grade teacher’s classroom for approximately an hour each week, reading with one student per half hour in a quiet area of the room; OR
Option 2. A reading specialist, librarian, or administrator can pull students to read with volunteers in the office, library, or resource room.
Volunteers should be paired one-on-one with the same student each week, and each student participant should have a strong need to practice reading skills. A faculty member or administrator must be present in the room with students and volunteers at all times, and teachers should send students with books on an appropriate reading level. Open Books may also provide additional books for classroom and home use.
Want to see what Open Books Buddies looks like?
Check out our Buddies Photo Sets!
Thank you for your interest! We’re excited to hear from your school! We are now at site capacity for Fall 2008. However, if you'd like to be on the list for Spring 2009 and beyond, please complete the form below! A member of the Open Books team will be in touch shortly.
NOTE: Our full-time staff is small enough to fit in a compact car, and Buddies, while beloved, is but one of many programs and projects for us. We can’t promise to come to every school that applies. However, we’ll do our best to recruit volunteers and can also welcome classes to our office for free creative writing field trips and recommend your campus to other literacy organizations and community partners as needed.
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