How might we improve literacy skills in first and second graders?
Open Book Adventures (OBA) is One Stone’s longest running program aimed at bringing a love of literacy to first and second graders in the greater Boise area. OBA connects learning with fun for participants and provides high schoolers an opportunity to expand their skills in leadership, problem-solving, and empathy.
Every Monday for six weeks, 30 young learners engaged one-on-one with a high school “Adventure Guide” for reading, writing, storytelling and games. While building meaningful connections with their buddies, pairs explored the session’s theme, “Tall Tales,” by imagining adventures of mythical creatures, knights, princesses, giants, wizards and dragons. Participants and their high school mentors spent time practicing vocabulary, dressing up as storybook characters, and taking turns reading books from the OBA rolling bookshelf.
At the end of the six-week session, families gathered to celebrate their young learners’ growth at an excitement-filled graduation ceremony. Each student received a book to take home and a certificate of accomplishment for completing the program. Guides shared fond memories of the fun times spent with their buddies and invited everyone to return for the next session of OBA.
Outcomes:
There was an average of 57% improvement in minute reading scores of participants from week one to week six.
After the event, 80% of Adventure Guides reported feeling extremely comfortable in their ability to act with empathy.
Parent reflections:
“I love the idea of having older kids work with and mentor younger. Very powerful!”
“The guide had good eye contact with my child. I really appreciated that! Isaac felt empowered and valuable.”
“My daughter is very enthusiastic about reading all the time now.”
“I can see my daughter’s confidence growing by leaps and bounds!”
“My son’s scores at school have improved, and he has been reading more at home.”
“He's much more happy to take part in reading. It's less of a battle to get him to read to me. He even chimes in, asking to try reading!”
Adventure Guide reflections:
“I learned how to communicate better with kids and use different methods for teaching.”
“I got better at being able to see things from my buddy’s perspective – to see what he sees and make it fun.”
