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High school guys know that young boys would rather play with shovels and Legos than hit the
books – so eight students from Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria have created Easy
Readers, a literacy program to help 1st and 2nd grade boys who were struggling to read.
Led by Drew Tener of Oakton, the Easy Readers team researched and developed a curriculum
that revolves around hands-on activities like making “dirt cake” and hunting for hidden treasure.
Kids read rhymes and clues printed on large cards to learn how to do the activities ...practicing
their reading skills at the same time.
They applied for a grant to buy supplies, met with teachers and librarians to get the word out
to Oakton and Vienna area schools and parents, and documented their work in a copyrighted
curriculum book which they made available for public use. |
WINNERS' WORDS:
“Fewer and fewer boys are wanting to go to college. So we started thinking about
this idea around the kitchen table at home – reaching kids early, before they decide they don’t like
school. Boys at that age learn more from being active, doing things. So I called some friends to
volunteer, and we started Easy Readers in a room donated by the Oakton Library.
“The first week, we break the ice by dressing up in costumes and have the kids guess what book
character we are. We have instructions written on big cards – and there’s a reward when they
read it, like a cake or playing with Legos. They meet with the same team for the six weeks, so the
kids become friends with each other and look to us as role models.
“We send out surveys afterwards, and parents report a big difference. We get such great
feedback ... I’m going to take the program with me when I go to college, and my neighbor will
keep it going here. We’d like to see this program spread across the country. The best part is the results: Parents report a marked improvement in their boys' reading skills after they've completed the program." ”
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