United Voices of Literacy

Description

UVOL created the Readers are Leaders after-school program in partnership with the USC Joint Educational Project. Readers are Leaders is designed to improve reading and reading comprehension for 3 rd - 7th grade students using the instruction and delivery of oral dramatic reading. The program culminates in a staged friendly reading competition between classmates where. Students advance as ambassadors advocating reading literacy throughout the community furthering their skills through dramatic readings at various public and private events. 90% of student participants in the program have improved in vocabulary, reading, comprehension, fluency, reading confidence, self-confidence and have learned that reading before the public can be thrilling when presented as "FUN."

Tutors in the Readers are Leaders program are referred to as "coaches" as the relationship which is formed with the student(s) guides the student into reading ease preparing to read before their classmates then on stage. The role of the coach is to help the student not only improve in reading but also to enjoy reading . Rather the reading involves superheroes, wizards, talking animals, the biography of notable persons, the coach is the guide helping the student find their voice to make the story come alive.

The goal for the Readers are Leaders is to improve reading and comprehension skills in struggling readers and to engage them in storytelling which opens their world to find enjoyment in reading.