Project Read a Lot to be a feature on Kare 11
New Prague High School's Project Read a Lot will be showcased on Kare 11's What's Cool in Our Schools on Thursday, December 22 at 6:15 a.m.

Project Read a Lot has created a network of NPHS students who enjoy reading and read a lot to share their love of reading with struggling and reluctant readers at NPHS. The main components of this program require having more reading resources available in language arts classrooms, especially targeted for struggling and reluctant readers, as well as sponsoring live book talks in classes, creating a weblog of digital versions of talks and creating written reviews of recommended titles-incorporating a service learning piece for the students sharing their books. Initial funding for the project came from New Prague Area Education Foundation with additional donations from the Veseli Lions and NPHS Student Council as well as additional private donations.

The group was created because we believe students who don't read are reluctant because they haven't found an author, a genre, or a subject that interests them. Struggling readers need literature at their reading level so they can gain confidence in their abilities and motivation to improve. By having peers who read share information about the books they enjoy, reluctant and struggling readers may have their interest peeked. Also, having a larger variety of books in the classroom, especially titles that interest these students, makes it easier to get students reading because the books are readily available.

A highlight of the program is that it isn't just the reluctant and struggling readers who are affected. The students sharing their love of reading also benefit by developing leadership and public speaking skills, having more literature available, and feeling the sense of satisfaction and pride knowing they are opening new doors to other students.