LISTENING TO READERS
Established 2025
Research shows that repeated reading of familiar texts builds reading ability. By listening to students read out loud, volunteers in the new Listening to Readers program help students meet the Second Grade CA STANDARD: Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. Click here to learn about the history of Listening to Readers.
Rotating pairs of Assistance League of San Jose volunteers spend one hour each week in first and second-grade classrooms, listening to the same six students read aloud in three groups of two for approximately 20 minutes per group.
Decodable books that target specific phonics skills and grade-level high-frequency words are provided for the sessions. Volunteers then introduce a take-home booklet, reviewing key vocabulary, high frequency words and phonics sounds. Students take turns reading the book twice, increasing their fluency.
Sessions end with high-frequency word flashcard games to strengthen automatic word recognition. Volunteers encourage the students to read their take-home booklet daily to family members, friends, stuffed animals – and even pets – helping build confidence, fluency, and a lasting love of reading.
