Escondido Library - Guys Read, and Like it, in Middle School Literacy Program

Guys Read, and Like it, in Middle School Literacy Program
NCTimes: January 31, 2010 by Gary Wrath

Boys will be boys, but that doesn't mean they can't appreciate a good read.

At two middle schools in Escondido, boys are taking one lunch break a week to read and discuss books, stories, graphic novels and even song lyrics with one another and two adult volunteers.

"I joined it because I was interested in the articles they had to read," said Del Dios eighth-grader Jose Agundez. "It's pretty chill. All my friends are here."

His eighth-grade friend, Ezequiel Ramirez, said he didn't like reading before joining the group. "This makes it fun," he said. "They make you understand the stories."

The two students were among nine boys sitting in a semicircle in a Del Dios shop class with adults Luis Hernandez and Michael Zepada, volunteers in the literacy program Guys Read, held each Thursday at Del Dios and each Friday at Mission Park middle schools.

"Guys like doing things together," Hernandez said. "If it's a sport, or reading, we tell each other about it."

But while boys may like reading in elementary school, they feel uncomfortable doing something so solitary around other students once in middle school, Hernandez said.

"They don't want to be the person in the lunch room or in the library, alone with a book," Hernandez said. "But it can be done in a team, just like anything else guys engage in."

Hernandez and Zepada were AmeriCorps volunteers working with the Escondido Library's Literacy Services when program coordinator Josephine Jones asked them to create a reading program targeted at young males.

Hernandez and Zepada also hold a Saturday session once a month called a Mash Up, where boys are asked to bring their fathers to the library to participate in discussions.

Jones, the program coordinator, said she would like to expand the program beyond the two schools, but needs more volunteers. Anyone interested in helping the program can call Jones at 760-839-4219. READ MORE !

Santa Fe Springs Library - Reading at the Library and Beyond

Reading at the Library and Beyond
Whittier Daily News: March 28, 2009
by Sandra T. Molina

For more than two decades, Jerry Edwards has headed the city's literacy program.

And in that time, it has grown from a few tutoring sessions and other classes to a program that expands outside the city's library.

Edwards and his staff make weekly visits to area elementary schools to reinforce what's already being taught by teachers during daily classroom lessons."It's been a tremendous help to our students, especially with their comprehension skills," said Lakeview Elementary School Principal Bill Crean.

"The kids, from kindergarten to fifth grade look forward to someone from the library come read to them," he said.

The staff feels the same way.

"It's a pleasure going into the schools and bringing the library to them," Edwards said. "They learn about the values of libraries."

It's not only a place for books, he said, but a place to research a favorite subject and fun activities.

That includes fun events such as the upcoming Battle of the Books.

The nine schools in the Little Lake City School District are currently getting ready for the fourth annual event that pits teams from the different schools against one another, testing their comprehensive skills.

"They are broken down into teams of six and are asked specific questions on the books they read through the year," Edwards said.

The last two teams standing compete for the trophy.

"It's very intense," he said of the event to be held May 29 at Town Center Hall.

He expects to equal, or even exceed last year's crowd of about 400 cheering parents, teachers and district personnel.

"It's a great, fun way to cap off a year of reading and learning," Edwards said.
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