A shared reading experience also gives the opportunity for rich connections to propel many a rich conversation. Not only that, but the read aloud time often builds a bond between the adult and child. When the mentor picks up a book to read to his/her mentee, like Jennifer did, s/he is embracing a powerful agent of change in the life of the child. If reading aloud is the best activity for preparing children for good reading achievement, then the Kids Hope mentor has a unique opening to turn the reading achievement status quo on its head by reading aloud to his or her mentee. This should give us pause, as over 60% of American 4th graders on national reading assessments are found to not be proficient, with many minority groups achieving at even poorer levels. In my experience working with elementary teachers, I find that many are reading aloud less than they did in past decades. Our schools are not aggressively picking up this slack, either. parents of young children read aloud to their children about once a week or less. Indeed, a recent national survey revealed that over 60% of U.S. Reading aloud builds knowledge of the world, vocabulary knowledge, social-emotional skills and empathy, and even attention and focus.ĭespite these remarkable claims of its power, many children in our country are not being read to much, or at all. What Jennifer has dedicated her time to–reading aloud–has been called the “single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading” (from a national report, Becoming a Nation of Readers ). Thus begins Sammy and Jennifer’s journey of sharing great books with one another as part of their mentor hour. Jennifer starts reading it and in a matter of seconds, Sammy is grinning wider than she’s ever seen. He’s happy to choose from among the beautiful books, but he’s drawn to an odd one, The Book with No Pictures. Jennifer asks him which one he’d like to hear. The whole reading thing hasn’t really captured his imagination yet.īut one day his Kids Hope USA mentor Jennifer shows up in their usual meeting place with some books.

He finds reading on his own taxing and avoids it as much as possible.

He heard more stories in the first few years of school, but those memories are growing dim.īefore school, he hadn’t really ever sat on someone’s lap to hear a story.

He’s in 3rd grade but his teacher only occasionally reads aloud to his class. Sammy is quick with a smile and quick on his feet.

The book with no pictures read aloud