Paws to READ

Paws to READ

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Inspired by a student's experience sleeping in the car, Paws to READ is affectionately known as A Bear, Book and a Nook.  The program is a part of Project Infinity's READ, Read, Enjoy And Discover Campaign.  Paws is aimed at promoting literacy, nurturing the joy of reading and unlocking a world of possibilities, one word at a time for homeless and foster children in Metro Atlanta.

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Paws to READ is founded on research and uniquely designed for young readers experiencing housing instability; furnishing them with:

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• Teddy Bear to READ to, a friend who will always listen and never judges.

• Books to READ from, which unlock a world of possibilities.

• Pop-Up Play Tent to READ in, their own special place wherever they are.

 

All packed in a rolling backpack so that they can “Paws to READ” wherever they go.  Mobility is key, when it comes to the literacy needs of homeless and foster children.  Paws is designed to meet students where they are and travel with them where they go--providing stability amidst instability.

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Paws readers get to pick out a new book each month from our online bookstore to add to their mobile libraries.  Since these students tend to be transient, enrolling in more than one school in an academic year, books are delivered to their school.  That way, if participants change schools, they can still continue to "Paws to READ" no matter which school they attend.

 

Along with the initial bundle, participants receive a Paws Promise certificate and foam spirit paw to raise when they pledge to:

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• READ Read, Enjoy And Discover

• READ More Often

• READ A Little Longer

• READ Together

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Boyce Ansley Students Take the Paws Pledge

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Our Paws Promise is based on the following benefits:

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• Reading helps to develop cognition, language and communication skills in young children

• Reading more often, enhances language development

• Just an extra 6 minutes a day of reading can improve student performance on grade-level benchmarks, from "not meeting" to "meeting"

• Reading together strengthens social-emotional development, builds empathy and confidence, as well as encourages a lifelong love of reading

• Reading out loud builds fluency and comprehension

 

Every aspect of the Paws program is intentional, student-centered and circumstance-resistant. 

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"Books Are A Uniquely Portable Magic."

 

- Stephen King

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