His name is David and he’s in second grade. At the beginning of the year, he was so shy and so scared that he couldn’t answer any of the questions on our student diagnostic assessment. What would be the keys to unlock David’s excitement for learning?

On his first day of tutoring, we tried some beginning sounds picture puzzles. When David saw them, he got a little smile on his face, and he said very quietly, “I like puzzles.” One key!

The following week, David came to tutoring wearing a MONSTER TRUCKS T-shirt. It turns out that David likes to go to Monster Truck shows with his dad. Another key! We found a cool Monster Trucks! book, with lots of photographs, to read together. Ever since then, David has been growing in confidence and gaining skills on his way to becoming a reader.

Now David has completed many phonics puzzles, along with practicing sight words and reading books. He enjoys familiar stories like “The Three Little Pigs” and “The Three Bears,” and is proud of his progress.

Finding the keys–
that’s what volunteer tutors do at twenty Excel Reading Clinics in schools all over Oakland and beyond. Every week, over a hundred tutors sit beside students like David, practicing skills and providing support to help unlock students’ excitement for reading.

Join us! Email Rebecca for more information on how to get involved.