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Mission:
To promote literacy by preparing and motivating children to read by working with athletes and community based organizations. To provide a fun and engaging classroom environment that fosters the love of reading.
Vision:
Tra & Alana's Reading for Life Literacy Program provides mentorship from athletes, celebrities and community based organizations that allow children to become literate citizens in society, foster positive attitude towards reading and learning, increase daily reading activity, improve attendance and academic achievement, and raise self-confidence.
Children in Tra & Alana's Reading for Life Literacy Program will learn the importance of reading and utilize reading strategies to improve reading fluency and increase reading comprehension. Tra & Alana's Literacy Program will inspire children to become lifelong readers and learners.
Reading aloud is an essential component of literacy. Reading to an athlete or celebrity and or members of the community increases confidence and generates excitement among students, which in turn will motivate children to read. Along with great books, discussions, and writing activities, the mentors will help children relate or make connections with the world they live in (reading strategy=text-to-world connection)
Participants:
Students in Mrs. Santana and Ms. Rutter's 3 rd grade classes will be invited to participate in Tra & Alana's Reading for Life Literacy Program.
A total of 44 third grade students at Florence Griffith Joyner MicroSociety Magnet School will work closely with Tra Battle and Alana Ethridge to increase daily reading activity/skills that will transfer throughout the day (before, during, and after school). Along with Tra Battle and Alana Ethridge, other athletes and community based organizations will help impact positive attitude towards literacy.
Tra & Alana's Reading for Life Literacy Program will be a consistent and continual program at the school (in order to obtain measurable results and data). All students, activities, and events will take place under the supervision of two Joyner MicroSociety Magnet School teachers, along with the support of the magnet resource teacher and principal.
Students’ Responsibilities:
- Participants are required to show good attitude, behavior, and citizenship; obtain good attendance; strive for and maintain good academic achievement; and serve as role models/mentors on campus
- Students will show evidence of their reading by completing book reports, letters, oral presentations…etc
- Students will keep a record/log of their reading
Students’ Responsibilities:
Teacher will keep a record of students’ behavior and attitudes toward reading/literacy, anecdotal notes regarding reading comprehension, students’ reading levels…etc.
Tra & Alana's Reading for Life Literacy Program:
The basis of the session: Once a month (30-45 minutes per class)
- Students read aloud/share their favorite book(s) with mentors (or vice versa)
- Students have discussions regarding the books
- Students write about the books (book reports, ad, letters, skits…etc)
Essential elements of the program:
- Motivation to reading (internal and external incentives)
- Parent & community involvement
- Provide books for students to keep at home (to build their own mini-library)
Tra & Alana’s Program Expected Outcomes:
- Increase positive attitude/behavior towards reading/literacy and learning
- Increase daily reading activity
- Increase reading comprehension
- Increase confidence and self- esteem and confidence
- Improve grades, test scores, and focus
- Increase attendance
- Increase good citizenship in and out of school
- Build lasting relationship with mentors
- Provide an engaging learning environment for students
Accountability:
The classroom teachers and other staff members/volunteers will monitor all students. All Students will monitor their reading activity on a daily basis (in class /homework). This will help the 3 rd grade students prepare for the California Standardized Tests (CSTs), which takes place in late May/early June.
What Are California Standardized Tests (CSTs)?
The CSTs are developed by California educators and test developers specifically for California. They measure students' progress toward achieving California's state-adopted academic content standards, which describe what students should know and be able to do in each grade and subject tested.
Who Takes the CSTs?
Students in grades two through eleven take multiple-choice CSTs in various subjects. Students in grades four and seven complete a writing assessment as a part of the CST English–language arts test.
What Components Are Included in the English Language Arts Section of the CSTs?
The English Language Arts Section is composed of the following five strands:
- Word Analysis
- Reading Comprehension
- Literary Response and Analysis
- Writing Strategies
- Written Conventions
Joyner Micro Society School
Reading Program Kick Off
Tra & Alana were met with a lot of smiles from the two 3 rd grade classes @ Joyner Micro Society School . Our kick-off celebration included visit from Walt & Elizabeth Smoyer, AFE sponsors that donated screen printed t-shirts for both “Battle for Success” and “Alana's Achievers,” along with, Rebecca Penh (Resource Teacher @ Joyner), Steven Haynes (President of AFE), Ysabel Giacalone (Program Director -Battle for Success), Patty Hill (Program Director – Alana's Achievers)
Tra & Alana first read an excerpt from the books they had chose for this event. Tra read “Oh, How I Wished I Could Read” by John Gile and Alana read “The Principal from the Black Lagoon” by Mike Thaler. Both Tra & Alana touched on why reading is important to them and their careers, Tra in professional football, and Alana, as an actress. Alana's Achievers also made the classes a “Find-A-Word Puzzle” so the students were able to find all the words before Tra & Alana left for this event. The students asked Tra and Alana questions about their careers and how they were able to achieve their goals. Both 3 rd grade teachers, Mrs. Santana & Miss Rutter, showed everyone in attendance the posters with all the reading goals listed for their classes so it was quite impressive!
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Joyner Micro Society School
Reading for Life Program (2nd visit)
After visiting Montgomery Elementary in the morning, Tra & Alana met with their adopted 3 rd grade classes at Joyner Micro Society School . Tra & Alana had a very big surprise for them. Alana spoke with fellow actors Jeff Foxworthy, after working with him on the show “Are You Smarter than a 5 th Grader,” for donations of his latest kid's book “Dirt on My Shirt.” So today was to be a very special day for the students…
First, Tra & Alana, spoke with the students about how they were doing with their reading and had found out that they were wanting to stay in at recess just to read more so that was a sign that their reading program was a huge success. After that Alana announced that they had a gift for the students.. The students were overwhelmed with excitement as Alana announced that Jeff had donated books for everyone in the classrooms. Alana shared that they would each receive one to start their home library or add to the one they already have. It was an amazing scene with the students wanting Tra & Alana to sign the books. Tra gave the class 10 tickets to the Charger vs. New England game for their teacher to give out as a reward for their improved reading.
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Joyner Micro Society School
Today's program visit showcased students sharing poems they had written with Tra & Alana. The classes were placed in small groups around the room; Tra & Alana went around & sat with each group to hear a poem read by a couple of the students in each group. At the end of the class, students presented a folder for both Tra & Alana incorporating hand written thank you letters and cards. It was truly a special day for Tra & Alana receiving these wonderful thank you mementos. Truly a clear example Tra & Alana's program is impacting the lives of the students participating in the program… There were also homemade cookies & a cake made for Tra with a football design on top along with punch for everyone! Tra gave the class 10 tickets to the Charger vs. Colts game for their teacher to give out as a reward for their improved reading.
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