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Alpha Alpha Tau Chapter
Marian University
P.A.L.S. – Pacers Academy Literary Society
At the request of the Pacers Academy English teacher, the chapter purchased multiple copies of Tears of a Tiger and Forged by Fire. The books deal with issues often faced by teenagers. Pairs of Marian students attended the Friday morning class for nine weeks to observe the literature circles and interact with the high school students. Because the pacing of the class was totally individualized, each pair of Marian students experienced something different each week. One member reflected: “Forged by Fire helped me see what some real high school students have to go through. It reminded me that getting books that relate to the students can make a big difference in their participation and performance."
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Alpha Beta Omega Chapter
University of Arkansas Fort Smith
Around the World in a Magic Pumpkin
The Cinderella story came alive thanks to the efforts of the Alpha Beta Omega Chapter and the Western Arkansas Ballet Company. Children were exposed to Cinderella stories from four very different cultures: Irish, Native American, Western American, and Japanese Cultures. The members also shared a book that incorporated all different cultures’ stories into one. The children heard every story and were able to compare and contrast the stories and enjoy a few pieces of the Cinderella Ballet. The students observed and articulated the similarities and differences in all the stories both heard and seen. |
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Alpha Epsilon Chapter
Western Illinois University
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
"While Food Nourishes the Body, Reading Nourishes the Soul.” A few days before Easter, the members of the Alpha Epsilon Chapter members took new children's books to the local food pantry. This is a time when the need for food is greatest. The families were thrilled to be able to choose a book for their children along with picking up food for their families. The Director of the Food Pantry was so impressed with the positive responses to the book giveaway that he plans to install bookshelves in the hallway where families enter to pick up their food. The chapter members were very humbled by the fact that parents were willing to give up some of their food items in order to obtain books for their children and that they recognized the importance of books for their children's future success in life. |
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Alpha Epsilon Omicron Chapter
Campbellsville University
Reading with the Cards
During the spring semester, the Alpha Epsilon Omicron members worked with students at the after-school program located at Taylor County Middle School. During reading groups, students read and discussed “The 10 Most Wondrous Sites.” Students selected one of the 10 sites to research further and develop a PowerPoint® presentation for their parents, peers, and teachers. Because of the three to one ratio, the members were able to provide opportunities for deep discussions about the topic. Even though many of these students scored low in their assessed reading abilities, they eagerly participated in the group reading experiences. |
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Alpha Iota Chapter
University of North Texas
Passport to Literacy
The Alpha Iota Chapter treated the students at Peter Colony Elementary school to an amazing literacy menu, with seven courses of content: Writing, Reading, Math, Art, Science, Social Studies, and Music. The content areas were set up as booths, with each booth featuring a book and accompanying activities. Students actively absorbed the information through painting with bubble paint, making college pennants, and even playing musical chairs! The participants left with lots of completed activities and books. Many of the attendees did not speak English as their first language, so this experience allowed them to experience a wide variety of subjects and activities along with reading. |
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Beta Upsilon Chapter
Washington University
Fun in the Sun: Super Summer Readers
To jump-start a great reading-filled summer, the Beta Upsilon Chapter provided an afternoon of team word games and an opportunity for all participants to write a personal thank you to their teachers. The children then picked out books for their teachers’ libraries. The teachers also received baskets of books from the chapter. Each participant left with a book to begin their summer reading. The chapter members learned there are many ways to actively engage students without making it seem like work. Something as simple as a Mad Lib word game allowed students to be excited about participating while also using their knowledge of language to review parts of speech. |
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Epsilon Kappa Chapter
Michigan State University
READy to Help our Environment!
For four days, members of the Epsilon Kappa Chapter and sixth-graders at Gardner Middle School become agents of change for the environment. After the students learned about environmental problems, they wrote and illustrated their own stories about a problem they saw and ways they could fix it. The chapter members had the students’ stories bound and, on the last day, each student shared his or her story. After the readings, each student received a book about the environment, a notebook, pens, pencils, and the book he or she created. Evidence of learning was noticed immediately: the students made the teacher turn off the light in her office since she wasn’t using it! |
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Eta Theta Chapter
CUNY: Brooklyn College
The Worlds of Literacy
Eta Theta is committed to promoting literacy at home and around the world through its multiple literacy events that took place in five local establishments and at two international sites. Through books and an art project at one local event with the Sesame Flyers, chapter members were able to take the readers to a place very different from their home, whether it was another city, state, country, or universe. This experience reinforced how important books are in the lives of everyone, particularly for people who don’t have much exposure to various opportunities and cultural activities. |
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Iota Sigma Chapter
University of Rhode Island
Thank You, Planet Earth!
A spaghetti dinner, creative stories about thanking planet earth, outdoor clean-up, planting opportunities, and lots of hands-on activities, were just part of the Iota Sigma Planet Earth Literacy Extravaganza. Chapter members delivered an important and lasting message about ecology while students simultaneously learned ways they can make a difference. All participants learned the importance of protecting and caring for the earth every day—not just on Earth Day. Chapter members learned they can help children recognize that their attitudes and the actions they take now on behalf of the earth can make a tremendous difference, now and for future generations. |
