Dear Books for a Better World,
About a year ago, you donated to my community, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity that your books provided.
Two other Peace Corps volunteers and I designed and facilitated seminars focused on reading instruction to English teachers of my region, Panama Este. About 30 teachers attended each month through their own volition and a professional community emerged, an unexpected result of our initial proposal but one of the greatest impacts of our project. Midway through the year, we distributed about 50 reading books to each English department of the 10 different schools who attended. Then, during each month, the teachers learned new ways to incorporate these books into their lessons, including conducting a Read Aloud, Choral Reading, and Reader’s Theater.
As for the students, we three volunteers read to them weekly and supported our assigned counterparts in conducting Read Alouds and a small play based on a story. My students LOVED the stories and illustrations and couldn’t wait for the following week’s Reading Day. The students now have access to over 500 different storybooks in both English and Spanish. Unfortunately, I will not be reading to them this year but I know they will continue to enjoy the books with the English teachers of my school.
Once again, thank you. I know the students wouldn’t have experienced the magical worlds of books without your donation. Please click on the video below to see a short video of our project:
Sincerely,
Renee Thessing
Peace Corps Panama 2011-2012
Muchas gracias to the family and friends of Ken Whelan, who have established a memorial book fund in his name. For summer 2013, they are providing BBW sites with copies of Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham (Huevos Verdes con Jamon). They hope to continue this tradition of purchasing a book each year in his name.
