Immanuel Baptist Church 1100 Finch Ave. East Toronto, Ontario, Canada M2J 2X4

Reading Circle

Reading Circle is an outreach ministry committed to help children to improve their literacy skills, so that they will progress in their educational pursuits. This program is completely free for children from Grade 1 ~ 6. How Reading Circle works... When Reading Circle starts... Format of Reading Circle... How to join us ... Want to be "Reading Buddy"? A Note for "Reading Buddies" How Reading Circle works... Children are partnered with "Reading Buddies" (volunteers).  Reading Buddies will read the books with the children for about a ˝ hour. They then gather for group story-time or games like word bingo. At the end there are draws for free books and snacks for everyone.  The Reading Circle is run by volunteers.  Training, resources, materials and various supports are provided by the Frontier College Family Literacy program and Fairview Public Library . Back to top When Reading Circle starts... We have three "terms" for this program, which roughly follow the schedules of the school terms. The fall term starts in mid-September and runs for about 10 weeks.  The winter term starts in early January and runs for about 9-10 weeks to March Break. The spring term starts after Easter and runs for about 10 weeks to June.  Back to top Format of Reading Circle... 10:00am - 10:30am Children find (or create) their own name-tags.  go to the display table to choose a book they want to read. Reading Buddies find (or create) their own name-tags. approach the children. find a spot to sit with the children. read the book with the children. (When the book is finished, ask the children to choose another book to read.) 10:30am - 10:45am return all books to the display table. all children and Reading Buddies gather as a big group. different activities are provided, such as word games/bingo, storytelling, etc. (The Reading Buddy who is in charge of the activity is responsible for providing all the necessary supplies.) Note: When the Reading Buddies raise their hands high and remain quiet, all the children should be silent right away. (The purpose is to allow the Reading Buddy to get all the children's attention) 10:45am - 10:55am collect all the name-tags. hold draws for free books. (Winners go to the display table to choose their book prizes; sometimes books are given away to those who arrive on or before 10:00am in order to promote promptness.) 10:55am - 11:00am Children move towards the exit doors pick up their snacks and leave the building. (Children are encouraged to eat their snacks and to wait for their parents outside the building, if weather permits.) Back to top How to join us ... This program is held on every Saturday from 10:00am to 11:00am in the morning.  Registration is required on the first Saturday of each term at 9:30am, on first-come-first-serve basis. For more information, please contact us. Back to top Want to be "Reading Buddy"? If you have the passion to read story books with children and be friends with them, we invite you to join us as a "Reading Buddy".  The experience is so rewarding.  In the following there are general guidelines about the Reading Buddy "job requirements": Be committed to improving reading skills and literacy in children. Possess good reading, comprehension and English language skills. Enjoy working with children and developing a friendship with your students. Have the ability to encourage and model positive behaviour. Be available to commit to at least one full term of the Reading Circle, attending every Saturday from 9:45am – 11:00am during that term. Be available to attend training or volunteer meetings when required. Be willing to participate in storytelling and/or word games and/or providing snacks. Advise Reading Circle coordinator of any absences in advance. Be able to maintain some order and discipline. If a student is acting up or disruptive, the Reading Buddy should bring the student to the Coordinator. Back to top A Note for "Reading Buddies" We ask all Reading Buddies to arrive at 9:45am in order to get ready to welcome the children. Depending on the child’s reading level, you can read to the child, let the child read, or alternatively read one paragraph or page with them. You can also discuss the story and ask questions to make the reading experience more interesting.  The objective is not so much to teach but to make reading more interesting to them and be friends to them. Caution should be taken that children not take this time as their social time with friends. There will be weeks where one Reading Buddy may need to work with more than one child. It is important that the children not be distracted and focus on reading or talking about the books they have picked. Assistance is required from Reading Buddies to put on stickers (on the back of the children's name-tags), in order to keep track of their attendance. When a child collects 5 stickers, he/she will be eligible for a free book. Also, we ask Reading Buddies to sign up for storytelling, word games activities and providing snacks. We also need help to tidy up the place afterward. Back to top

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