Volunteer Literacy Program


 

 

What is Rocket Reader?

Rocket Reader is an exciting addition to Camp Fire USA's New Mexico programs.  Rocket Reader places adult volunteers in selected Albuquerque elementary schools to work individually with first- and second-graders who are having trouble learning to read.

Rocket Reader operates in three Albuquerque Public Schools:  Sierra Vista, Oņate and Chelwood.  These sites were selected because they (1) represent the city's diverse neighborhoods and serve low-income, at-risk populations, but (2) do not qualify for Chapter I federal funds, and (3) have made a school-wide commitment to support literacy initiatives.  Rocket Reader thanks the United Way of Central New Mexico, Target Stores and Foley Stores for their financial support.

How does it work?

Within these classrooms, each eligible child is matched with a volunteer tutor for a 45-minute one-on-one session during school hours once or twice each week.  Each session consists of several activities:

  • Re-reading a familiar children's book (one that the child has read several times);

  • Re-reading a less familiar book (one that the child has read once or twice);

  • Reading a new book;

  • An analysis activity, such as scrambling and rearranging words in a sentence or paragraphs in a story; and

  • A writing activity.

Throughout, the tutor encourages and praises the child's efforts, and helps the child to track his/her progress.  Tutors maintain running dialogue with their children's classroom teachers through written notes, and have frequent contact and support from Camp Fire USA staff.

Why is this important?

As a Camp Fire USA program, Rocket Reader is founded on the belief that today's kids are tomorrow's leaders.  Because literacy is the foundation for all formal learning, the fact that 48% of New Mexico students do not read at grade level by fourth grade (National Center for Education Statistics 1999) means that many of our children will not have the chance to become tomorrow's leaders without a little extra help.  We know that the earlier that help is provided, the more effective it will be, and that children who have not achieved reading proficiency by third or fourth grade are at severe risk for educational failure (Anderson, et al., 1984).  Therefore our primary goal for Rocket Readers is to help children achieve reading proficiency level by third grade.

The Rocket Reader approach combines proven literacy activities with a graded series of quality reading materials.  Volunteers not only guide the activities with their students, but also serve as mentors and role models for the children and liaisons with the teaching staff.

Is Rocket Reader successful?

Rocket Reader is modeled on other successful literacy tutoring programs, including Reading Recovery and Book Buddies, that have been thoroughly studied and evaluated.  It is also based on principles that have been found to be most effective in teaching literacy through the use of volunteers.

The Rocket Reader pilot program, developed through a partnership with Sandia National Laboratories, was formally assessed over the period of 1998-2000.  During this period approximately 75% of participating children improved their tested reading levels by at least one grade.  Surveys of teachers and volunteer tutors showed high levels of satisfaction by both groups, and teachers reported significant gains in children's self-esteem and attitudes toward reading.  Informal assessment of the ongoing work since 2000 shows that these results have been maintained, and cost-effectiveness assessment indicates that the approach is a least as effective as traditional classroom interventions and much less expensive to operate.

Become a Rocket Reader volunteer