AASAAALS pec hho ob Ab ob hb bone Dat dD TA da [| News Volunteers Get Help Teaching Kids To Read (NAPSA)—In America today, almost half of all fourth graders read below the basic level. If children are not confident that they can learn to read by the fourth grade, evidence shows that they are much morelikely to drop out of school and be limited to lower-paying jobs throughouttheir lifetime. In light of these staggering statistics, Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, with the generous support of Verizon, has created a training video to give volunteers the tools they need to start tutoring with confidence. The video and manualare part of a nationwide Read*Write*Now! Partners Tutoring Program. Hadassah sends volunteers into the schools to provide at-risk children with the support and motivation they need to improve reading and writing skills that will help them succeedin life. The skills are easily acquired with these materials and can fully prepare even those without experience in literacy training or working with kids. “There are few things as valuable in this world as the smile on a child’s face when his or her reading skills finally click,” said June Walker, National President of Hadassah, which with 300,000 members is the largest women’s organization in the U.S. “Learning to read happensat a different rate for each child and schools cannot always devote the time necessary for individual training. That’s why volunteers are so critical to the well-being of our country and its children.” Here are some of the program’s tips for teaching children to read that can be used in a formaltutor- Volunteers can get the tools they need to tutor with confidence. ing program or while coaching your own child: Be patient and quiet while waiting for the child to respond. Don’t ever interrupt a child while he is reading, thinking or answering. When encouraging a child to read, begin with “duet reading.” Adjust your reading speed so the two of you are completely in unison. If the studentis trailing you, choose easier material to boost his confidence. For reluctant readers, try “echo reading.” You read first and the student repeats. If a student struggles over a word, allow four seconds for a response. When reading is finished, always give the child praise. Training videos/DVDs and tutoring manuals are available to colleges and universities for Work-Study programs. They are also available to individuals who would like to start tutoring groups and can be obtained from Hadassah at community outreach@hadassah.org.
