Overview Why is it important to read aloud to younger children? Using the latest technology, high schoolers launch cross-school tutoring by scheduling five Read Aloud sessions with their elementary school Book Buddies. With children as their audience, older students interact in a REAL environment to raise their own learning standards and learn by teaching. Reflection Journals help them understand the mentoring experience. A Literacy Poster Contest and a Teacher Shadowship Day open doors to literacy competencies and teaching as a career.
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Learning Standards English Language Art |
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| | Understand & effectively employ the writing process. |
| | Conduct effective discussions. |
| | Employ different uses of technology to complete & enhance work. |
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School to Career Competencies |
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| | Develop Communication & Literacy Skills. |
| | Use Technology. |
| | Act Professionally. |
| | Take Responsibility for Career & Life Choices. |
Assessment Students and teacher share Reflection Journals and Literature Review Did I Sheets after each session. They use rubrics to evaluate Key Questions, products, and presentations
Software or Materials Used For literature on mentoring Read Aloud sessions: Read Aloud Handbook 1995: Penguin Books by James Trelease; Students as Teachers, Mollie Gregory 1995: J. Weston Walch; for Read Aloud sessions and poster contest: assorted childrens books, journals, art supplies
Web Sites Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators, The Teachers Network , Booklist from American Library Association, Future Educators of America
Keywords Service Learning, Mentoring, Literacy, Reflection Journals, Teaching Careers, Shadow Day, Read Aloud, School to Career
Final Words This project addresses literacy - how students become life long learners, how they communicate the importance of reading to younger children, how they acquire parenting skills for a future generation of readers. The Teacher Shadowship Day easily transfers to other careers.
Teacher Tip Time management skills are important when working with cross-school projects. Faced with scheduling and organizing Read Aloud sessions, students show improved communication skills.
E-mail contact Mary Ellen Bower bowerme@aol.com
Teacher Bio Mary Ellen Bower, a Boston Public School Lead Teacher, has taught elementary and high school classes for thirty-two years. As School to Career Coordinator at West Roxbury High School, she leads a TeachBoston career pathway course. Mary Ellen has received a Golden Apple and the Harvard Book Award for teachers and frequently conducts literacy and career workshops. She and her students, recipients of Fleet's All-Stars 2000 award for community service, have testified before the Massachusetts State Legislature and have presented at statewide Department of Education conferences.
Subject Areas Language Arts, Technology, Career Education
Grade Levels K - 12
Students Partnerships between High School & Elementary School
