[Educators] create a literate environment that fosters reading and writing by integrating foundational knowledge, instructional practices, approaches and methods, curriculum materials, and the appropriate use of assessments.
Literacy Event #6: Guest Readers
IRA Standard 5: Element 5.4- Candidates use a variety of classroom configurations (i.e., whole class, small group, and individual) to differentiate instruction.
Annotation/Details of the Event
Members from the Milwaukee Bucks (basketball), Milwaukee Brewers (baseball), Green Bay Packers (football), and their wives will be invited to read to students in Grades 1-12 at various Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). It is important for students of all ages to be read to as many of the students in the district are struggling readers and do not come from a literacy-rich environment. Each year these teams seek out schools, so we can extend this to MPS students. Northwestern Mutual and Johnson Controls have been supporters of this initiative as well and have provided money for books in the past. The guest readers will also stress the importance of reading and writing everyday through a motivational talk at the end. At the upper middle and high school level, the guest readers will not only give the above motivational talk, but will share some of their life experiences and help to inspire these students to stay focused in school and make good choices.
Literate Environment
The students will have the opportunity to hear a fluent reader read a story or part of a story and be motivated to commit to their own reading. The guest readers will be familiar to the students, and their personal experiences and stories will inspire them to keep moving forward and to become successful in life. The students will be in small groups so that they feel more comfortable to engage and ask questions. Students make connections because they will hear experiences similar to their own.
250 words by Wendy A. Smith
