Volunteer to be a Guest Reader!
Please Note: There are two (2) locations in which to select.
This page is for Location 1.
The Centers for Exceptional Children/The Children's Center
Address: 2315 Coliseum Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Date: Thursday, March 2, 2023
Event Time: 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM
Sign up for one (or more) 30-minute time slots! (Scroll down to select your time.)
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
Join the students, teachers, and staff of The Centers for Exceptional Children/The Children's Center and sign-up to be a Guest Reader!
About Read Across America Day
According to the National Education Association website, National Read Across America Day is “a day to celebrate the privilege of being able to read… and is regarded as a reading program, which calls upon everyone to read and engage with children to make reading a more fun and interactive experience.” The National Education Association (NEA) has been leading the Read Across America initiative since 1998 with the primary purpose to work for the betterment of public education.
Learn more about Read Across America by clicking the link below!
https://www.nea.org/resource-library/read-across-america-frequently-asked-questions
Materials Need & Suggestions:
- Select the children's book(s) you’d like to read. See below for Tips for Guest Readers.
- Prepare to spend 30 minutes with a class(es) by bringing more than one book.
- If you purchase books, The Centers would like for you to consider donating them to the CFEC school library after reading.
BONUS: Be creative with your attire! (i.e. wear a hat or costume and/or incorporate props themed around the book(s) you read!
REQUIREMENTS AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY VOLUNTEERS
To ensure the safety of the staff and students at The Centers for Exceptional Children, volunteers are asked to adhere to the following requirements.
1. PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION: Volunteers must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status. Send a copy of your vaccine card to Sarah Shutt - sarah@thecfec.org prior to volunteering.
2. BACKGROUND CLEARANCE for VOLUNTEERS: Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools requires ALL volunteers to be cleared to volunteer which requires completing a background screening. *PLEASE COMPLETE SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT
- To get started, link on the following link (https://www.wsfcsvolunteers.com/)
- Once the process starts, it should only take a few minutes. https://www.wsfcsvolunteers.com/
- When directed to list the schools in which you are looking to volunteer, find and select “Children's Center” and “The Special Children's School”.
- Immediately after submitting the completed application, the system will send an automated e-mail from “emailverification@wsfcsvolunteers.com.” This e-mail MUST be opened and then a link clicked to activate the application so it can be processed for approval.
- Once cleared to volunteer, look for an email from clearance@wsfcsvolunteers.com.
3. FACE COVERING REQUIRED: Please be prepared to wear a mask or other face covering. If you do not have a mask, they will be available.
4. UWFC Waiver IS REQUIRED: Volunteers will be asked to complete a United Way of Forsyth County Photo and Participation waiver. These forms will be available on site.
Tips for Guest Readers
Interested in participating, but would like a few suggestions to prepare? Consider the following:
When people make the time to read with children, children get the message that reading is important. Make the read aloud experience a great one for you and for your listeners!
Source: https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/tips-guest-readers- Find out something about who is going to hear you read. Knowing whether the second-grade class has a number of English-language learners or that the fifth-grader you’ll be reading to has an unusually short attention span should influence your selections when choosing read aloud material.
- Choose a book that you like and will enjoy reading aloud. Before you share a book by reading it aloud, read it yourself—several times if possible. This helps prepare you for kids’ questions, gives you the ability to easily move the book around so that kids’ can see any illustrations, and lets you polish your act with appropriate pauses, silly voices, and apt facial expressions.
- Come prepared with more than one selection to read. Some books might not connect with your listeners. If so, don’t force the issue. Just acknowledge that the book isn’t going over well and try another title. The other reason to have plenty of books in your repertoire is equally important: you may be called for an encore!
- Make sure both you and your audience are comfortable. Your audience isn’t going to be happy if they can’t see the pictures and neither will you. Dress for the possibility of sitting on the floor or in a child-size chair.
- Don’t read too fast. Or too long. You’ll lose your audience. Consider the listening skills of your audience when choosing your books to share.
- Give credit where credit is due. Before you start reading, be sure to point out the title, author, and illustrator of the book you are about to read. This helps kids learn new authors and build their own list of favorites.
- Get help in making your reading selections. Teachers and librarians can offer excellent suggestions. Look to Read Across Americafor recommendations of stories that lead to lots of conversation. Find additional guidance in choosing great read alouds from Reading Rockets.
- Help kids relate to the book. You selected the book for a reason. Share your thoughts about why you like the book and why you think they might find it interesting and enjoyable too.
Photos from 2022 Read Across America Day with The Centers for Exceptional Children
