The Weekend Academy Book of the Month program is designed to stimulate
and encourage literacy among our students and reinforce the lessons of the
Academy. Each month, the students must read any book of their choosing
and report back to Weekend Academy staff. Upon completion of the task,
students are given a beautiful new book that relates to that month’s theme.
Reading for information and for recreation are reinforced by this program. This
not only helps students with reading fluency and comprehension, but also
assists in the development of a long-term enjoyment of reading.
Monthly themes vary across a broad spectrum of academic subjects, careers,
cultures, and interests with the assumption that different children will be
captivated by different things. Similarly, the supplemental books differ in style
and content. They are carefully selected for relevance, usability, and
readability. Chapter books, reference books, or picture books may be chosen
to help students acquire a well-rounded collection.
Weekend Academy partners with the national organization First Book to help
make this initiative possible. First Book cites a recent literacy study* showing
that in middle-income neighborhoods, the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1,
while in low-income neighborhoods, there is only 1 age-appropriate book for
every 300 children! In light of this astounding finding, our efforts to provide
monthly opportunities for children to read and earn new volumes to build their
personal libraries have far-reaching implications for our students and their
families.
While the students earn these books simply by putting forth their effort,
Weekend Academy must cover the cost of the materials. It is a great help for
special interest groups or businesses to sponsor a particular month’s books. If
your business, church group, or other organization would like to be a part of this
wonderful endeavor by purchasing a book or suggesting a topic, please contact
the Weekend Academy Coordinator in your area.
*Handbook of Early Literacy Research, Vol. 2 edited by Susan Neuman and
David Dickinson
and encourage literacy among our students and reinforce the lessons of the
Academy. Each month, the students must read any book of their choosing
and report back to Weekend Academy staff. Upon completion of the task,
students are given a beautiful new book that relates to that month’s theme.
Reading for information and for recreation are reinforced by this program. This
not only helps students with reading fluency and comprehension, but also
assists in the development of a long-term enjoyment of reading.
Monthly themes vary across a broad spectrum of academic subjects, careers,
cultures, and interests with the assumption that different children will be
captivated by different things. Similarly, the supplemental books differ in style
and content. They are carefully selected for relevance, usability, and
readability. Chapter books, reference books, or picture books may be chosen
to help students acquire a well-rounded collection.
Weekend Academy partners with the national organization First Book to help
make this initiative possible. First Book cites a recent literacy study* showing
that in middle-income neighborhoods, the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1,
while in low-income neighborhoods, there is only 1 age-appropriate book for
every 300 children! In light of this astounding finding, our efforts to provide
monthly opportunities for children to read and earn new volumes to build their
personal libraries have far-reaching implications for our students and their
families.
While the students earn these books simply by putting forth their effort,
Weekend Academy must cover the cost of the materials. It is a great help for
special interest groups or businesses to sponsor a particular month’s books. If
your business, church group, or other organization would like to be a part of this
wonderful endeavor by purchasing a book or suggesting a topic, please contact
the Weekend Academy Coordinator in your area.
*Handbook of Early Literacy Research, Vol. 2 edited by Susan Neuman and
David Dickinson
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