BookPALS combines the well-known concept of “pen pals” with Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS) and our culturally responsive curriculum to target 2nd and 3rd graders’ reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. The overarching goals are to increase oral reading, fluency, vocabulary, and achieve grade-level reading proficiency for 2nd and 3rd grade students; build bridges between students from different socioeconomic communities and cultural backgrounds to promote multicultural awareness, mutual respect, and celebrate differences in all people; develop students’ intrinsic motivation to read for pleasure.

Volunteer experience: 

Serve as a reading mentor to small groups of 2nd/3rd graders to motivate and support them to be reading and writing proficiently by the end of 3rd grade. We meet with children right at their schools in Washtenaw County, and online through Zoom! Volunteers commit to working with children for at least one half of the school year. 

Donations:

$25 provides a group of BookPALS their books for one month of the program.
$100 provides an entire classroom with their personal, leveled reading books.
$300 supports the purchase of the BookPALS “shared” books for an entire school.