Raising Readers in Story County

Story Pals

The Story Pals program provides quality reading experiences for 4 to 5 year old preschoolers and supports the development of language and early literacy skills. The intended goal is to increase participant readiness for school and help spark the joy of reading. Your child will meet with a Story Pal Volunteer twice weekly to connect through stories

Volunteers are trained to work with students using a research-based Dialogic Reading method to develop background knowledge and vocabulary, grow spoken language skills and encourage children to use reading comprehension elements to retell stories and make literary connections to their personal experiences. 

Summer Story Pals

Summer Student Application due May 28th

North Grand Mall | Tuesdays and Thursdays | June 10-July 17 | 4:00 or 4:30 

                     

Be a Story Pals Volunteer

The Story Pals program provides quality reading experiences and supports the development of language and early literacy skills.

Training and materials will be provided. Volunteer tutors must be at least 14 years old. All volunteers will undergo a background check. Transportation to and from the tutoring site is the responsibility of the tutor. Volunteers are expected to be there 15 minutes prior and 15 minutes after to prepare and complete paperwork.

The summer Story Pals volunteer application has closed for

 

School Year Story Pals

During the school year, Raising Readers in Story County partners with preschools and care centers to deliver quality program. 

2024-2025 Partners: 

Adventures Preschool, Ames Community Preschool Center, Central Elementary (Nevada), Northwood Preschool Center, & University Community Childcare. 

We are always looking for new partners. Please contact Program Manager, Laura Geake, if you are interested in hosting Story Pals at your Story County site!

 

Story Pals Resources

Guidelines for Dialogic Reading in Small Groups

The Dialogic Reading Method

This video was taken at Central Elementary School in December 2015. Story Pals volunteer Martha Pitt uses Dialogic Reading techniques to read The Wolf's Chicken Stew by Keiko Kasza.

Contact RRSC at laurageake@raising-readers.org for more information or with questions about the Story Pals program.

Download a program guide to create your own Story Pals program HERE
 
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