NEA's Read Across America: Is There a Doctor in the House?

NEA Today, Feb 2005 by Walker, Rachael

INFECTIOUS READING

"Readers are Leaders" is more than a catchy reading promotion slogan-it's true! The National Endowment for the Arts reports literary readers are more committed to their communities than those suffering from aliteracy. They are more supportive of cultural events, visit museums, and are more than two-and-a-half times as likely to do volunteer or charity work.

Since 2000, NEA has encouraged and celebrated literacy service by America's young people and honored them for doing reading-related activities that benefit others. In partnership with Youth Service America (YSA), thousands of dollars have been awarded to student-led literacy projects through the Youth Leaders for Literacy program.

"Being able to read makes everything else possible, including the ability to make meaningful, lifelong contributions to your community through service," said Steven A. Culbertson, YSA president and CEO. The Chandler High School Social Studies Council in Chandler, Arizona, knows that's true. They paired trained Council members with fourth graders at Galveston Elementary to help beef up students' reading skills, teach them about citizenship, and offer them opportunities to participate in community improvement activities. What they found was that; stronger leaders and readers emerged from both age groups-fourth graders' interests and skills went up and high school mentors' interest in reading grew as they shared reading and built relationships with a younger reader.

Talk to us on the Web!

Want to get and share more ideas about reading? Go to www.nea.org/neatodayextra!

* Answer our online survey question: Do you think the use of comic books is an effective teaching tool?

* Join our discussion board Conversation and let your colleagues in on your best ideas to hook reluctant readers.

* Find out more about NEA's Read Across America. programs and activities.

* Tap into a host of NEA resources on reading, including books, teaching strategies, and more tips from school librarians.