NSLC Literacy Resources

This bibliography highlights literacy resources from the NSLC library and SLICE (Service-Learning Ideas and Curricular Examples).

Source: National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, September 2008.

NSLC Library Items

Discovering the World of Community Service Learning: Literacy and Education Service Learning Project Manual
Discovering the World of Community Service Learning series, also known as the "Service Learning Detective" series, is designed to get students out of the classroom and into the community to investigate problems and develop strategies for solving them. This manual assists students choosing to work with literacy or educational services after completing the initial Detective Casebook. Project steps include documenting the service performed and reflection.
servicelearning.org/library/resource/327

Project MURALS: A Buddy Reading/Cross-Aged Literacy Curriculum
Project MURALS consists of two components. The first, Buddy Reading, is a year-long program in which upper and lower elementary students work together for an entire year as Big and Little Buddies. The second component is a series of short, intensive literacy extension projects that the Big and Little Buddies work together to implement. These extension projects include creating a quilt, books, and a mural. This curriculum handbook is a guide for implementing both Buddy Reading and literacy extension projects. The creation of this handbook was funded by the San Francisco Education Fund's Literacy Network.
servicelearning.org/library/resource/2423

Read and Lead: Fostering Literacy through Cross-Age Tutoring: Facilitator's Manual
Combines brain-based learning, service-learning, citizenship skills and cross-age tutoring. A guidebook for initiating a service-learning project using these methods, as well as evaluating and celebrating the results.
servicelearning.org/library/resource/4663

Service-Learning and Literacy Motivation: Setting a Research Agenda
This study explored the ways in which service-learning influenced middle school students to become more engaged in literacy and more motivated to learn. The dynamic interaction between student voice, perceived relevance of the service experience and students' personal funds of knowledge that was prompted by participating in an environmental service-learning project led the students to become more motivated to learn in their regular classrooms. This research suggests multiple ways to advance the research agenda investigating the relationship between service-learning and academic outcomes
servicelearning.org/library/resource/7268

Books for Young Readers
Students create narrative books for young readers. They share their books with members of their community.
servicelearning.org/slice/index.php?ep_action=view&ep_id=90

Hooked on Buddy Reading
In organizing a buddy reading program at Alice Birney Elementary, John K Smith developed and implemented a detailed cross-age reading curriculum. By teaching tutors methods of reading instruction, with an overarching emphasis on service learning, there prove to be many outstanding rewards for the tutees, tutors, and school community. This lesson is based not only in the philosophical reasons and ideas of how to structure a buddy reading program, but also has a detailed weekly overview and step-by-step reading lessons that tutors can perform with their tutees.
servicelearning.org/slice/index.php?ep_action=view&ep_id=147

Literacy Leaders
When reading becomes too much work, students (bilingual, regular and special needs) develop low self-esteem as well as inadequate written and verbal communication skills. To address this problem, West Roxbury High School designed a series of community service learning activities that emphasize reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. The resulting program,“Reaching Raiders,” motivates students through the real-world application of basic skills. The high school students “reach out” by reading, writing, and teaching new skills to elementary school children.
servicelearning.org/slice/index.php?ep_action=view&ep_id=291

Reading Buddies
This is a year-long project between at-risk high school language arts students and low-level 3rd grade readers, with the objective of raising FCAT scores for all participants.
servicelearning.org/slice/index.php?ep_action=view&ep_id=109

Read to Me
The direct service learning project will require students to practice reading a children’s book fluently to prepare for reading the book to a class or small group of early elementary school students. Struggling readers can increase their fluency and comprehension by reading along with a text being read out loud to them. However, to ask these struggling readers to identify themselves to their peers is insensitive and impractical. Therefore, the indirect service-learning project will ask students to read a part of their favorite novel, social studies, or science textbook onto a tape or CD to be kept as a resource for struggling readers in the school. An advocacy aspect of the service-learning project could be creating posters or writing persuasive letters urging parents and older siblings to read to young children
servicelearning.org/slice/index.php?ep_action=view&ep_id=138

Three Cheers for Books
Students create a library display to promote a book that they read. The project includes an art component and a writing component. The art component could include a favorite scene, character, another part of the book, or the message of the book, depending on ability. The children then give the project to the library to display in the children’s section for a specified time period.
servicelearning.org/slice/index.php?ep_action=view&ep_id=41