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We are part of the AmazonSmile program in which shoppers can choose our nonprofit as their charitable organization and then we receive 0.5% of eligible AmazonSmile purchases.

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Thanks for always believing in us and in our mission.

By Anastasia Gruper

“Your book fair was a huge success,” said the second grader on her way to library.  “We get to take these books home with us?  And keep them?” questioned the fourth grade boy carrying two books back to class.  “Do you have any books about dogs?” inquired the third grade boy as he scanned the tables.  “What about Fly Guy?  Do you have any Fly Guy books?” wondered the first grade boy.  “Do you want to read with me?” asked the precious third grade girl holding her two picks.  The questions and statements heard throughout the LMC at Glacier Ridge today was a true testament to the power of putting self selected books into the hands of kids.

A to Z Literacy toted in boxes of books to distribute to the students at District 47 Summer School today.  After boxes were unpacked and sorted on tables, I was charged with walking room to room to bring the students down to pick two of their favorites. The enthusiasm was contagious; it felt like I was announcing the winners of the lottery.  After trying to contain the excitement down the hallway, entering the library for the kids to peruse the tables of books was electrifying.  Watching Mal, Dave, Anna, Alia, Wendy, teachers, and students talk to each other about books was like watching children unwrap presents at Christmas.

“Is this a mystery?” a boy asked me. “Nate the Great?  Yeah, that’s a mystery,” I replied. “Great, thanks.  I’ll take this one,” the boy replied walking over to a chair and opening the book to read. “Where would I find Elephant and Piggie books?” was a little louder than the hum of book talking.  “Over in that corner,” came the reply. Creating the opportunity to have authentic conversations; offering the tools to pick the right books; and giving a book of choice creates a community of readers.  Thank you A to Z for creating a community of readers today.

By Dave Keenan

Are you like me when it takes some time to reflect on those BIG moments in life? A significant event happens, and it takes a while for you to sit back and say, “Whoa…that was powerful! What just happened?”.

I returned from my second trip to Africa on Sunday, June 19^th (Father’s Day). It takes a week or so to adjust to jet lag, get back on track with schedules, and settle back in to the family’s lifestyle. Then it hits. Like waves. Some small, some big.

• That first moment when you step back on Zambian soil and smell the charcoal wafting through the air.
• The greetings of the handshake, traditional – soul – traditional.
• Entering the classroom on the first day back. “Hello!” you say. As a class responding, “Hello sir! How are you?”
• Seeing young faces light up when they put their hands, eyes, minds and hearts in books. Books. Children bickering over who gets to hold the new book. Who will read first? “My turn!” Change hands. Eyes glued to the text. Smiles. It’s easy to see the wheels turning in their minds, thinking, wondering.
• Spending an afternoon with teenagers at a restaurant who don’t understand what a “wrap” is or how to eat it.
• Having the opportunity to discuss with the same young adults their educational future, when at their home that same talk may never happen. Because sadly, for many Zambian children, after grade seven, there is no educational future.

These are the things I continue to think about and reflect on days after returning home. The work of A to Z Literacy Movement continues to inspire me to be a better teacher and motivates me to make a small difference in a very big world.

“Zambia In My Rearview Mirror” (from Betty)

Looking back in my rearview mirror at the experiences I had last week in Zambia, I know I’m thankful to be a part of A to Z Literacy.

Highlights of the week include:

** reconnecting with the teachers at Shine Zambia Reading Academy

** not only sharing lessons with teachers and students and modeling good literacy instruction, but watching the teachers in action

** feeling such a warm welcome and the appreciation of our work with A to Z Literacy…I now feel quite colorful!

** seeing vulnerable children make tremendous progress…and witnessing their desire to learn

** spending time with the cadre of Shine graduates who we continue to support with books, materials, and scholarships enabling them to stay in secondary school and move toward a brighter future

** working alongside Mal and Dave Keenan and other educators at School of Hope to help deliver the professional development workshop to 150 Zambian teachers

** the opportunity to engage the students and teachers at Shine in the photography/writing project and learn firsthand about Zambian life by walking the streets and back corners of Mutendere East compound

** handing out toothbrushes (donated by my dentist, Dr. Parin Desai of Crystal Lake Smiles) to over 170 students at Shine

** and finally…the enormous amount of learning and professional development that comes to me as a result of teaching in Zambia.

Back home now…but fond memories of this week will be engrained in my mind forever.

“Filled With Hope” (from Betty)

As some of you have already read, last Friday was a unique opportunity for the A to Z team working in Zambia to help deliver workshops and professional development to about 150 teachers joining together for an “inset,” a day of learning. Teachers from School Of Hope, where the inset was held, invited other educators from rural villages in the zone around them, and teachers from Shine and another school in Lusaka, to be a part of this day. And what a fabulous day it was!

I made the nearly two hour trip from Lusaka with the teachers of Shine…who had never participated in this sort of professional development before. Despite a rough start with a flat tire on our small bus (van) and a police roadblock stop along the way…we arrived at School of Hope in high spirits.

After a warm welcome and opening remarks, teachers could choose from a menu of one hour mini-sessions covering various topics. My presentations focused on good questioning skills in reading both fiction and nonfiction text, writing and using ABC books with students, and science in the garden.

I was excited by the way my three groups engaged with the topics, with one another, and by the level of participation and questions being asked during and after each session.

What do you say to a teacher who has 80 students in her class and tries to teach a reading lesson…possibly without even having any books? How do you encourage teachers who have no science materials, resources, or gardens/plants near their school to teach about plants? What if there is no paper, or there aren’t pencils for the children?

The teachers attending work hard each day to do their job, many without any books or curriculum materials, or possibly share the scant supply they do have among the huge numbers in their classes. Issues of class size took on a whole new meaning, and I embraced the challenge of helping these teachers by offering ideas or answering questions. Many wanted extra time with all of us on the A to Z Literacy team as well as other presenters. They are hungry for ideas, materials, and help.

Thank you to Kathleen and Ben from
School of Hope for including me as part of this professional development day. It’s a life-changing experience to be a part of something so special.

With three A to Z experiences in Zambia under my belt, I know that I can never grab a book, pencil, pencil sharpener, or teaching resource again and not be eternally thankful for the abundance of resources I had at my fingertips throughout my 35 years of classroom teaching (and beyond).

Challenges in education are felt around the world. I am filled with hope on days like today. School of Hope is an oasis of education in rural Zambia….just as Shine Zambia Reading Academy is an oasis of education in the vulnerable compound of Mutendere East in Lusaka. I’ll carry this feeling of hope with me, always.

Many of us know how it feels to go to a conference and be inspired. Some of what we hear, we already know, but it’s a nice *reminder*. While other sessions are A-Ha moments, providing new information and perspective. Speakers motivate us to try something new and challenge us to think outside of our daily routines.

Last Friday was a BIG day at School of Hope. Teachers from all over the zone arrived to experience a day of learning. School of Hope director, Kathleen Schwartz, knows how important professional development is for teachers and is committed to this yearly gathering, not just for her teachers, but for teachers throughout the district. Unlike high cost conferences here in the states, schools were asked only to provide two reams of paper along with 250 Kwacha (about $25.00). Kathleen sees the value of teachers growing together and wants to make an impact on Zambian schools.

I was lucky to work with A to Z team members Betty Trummel, Vernon Caldwell (a new friend and professor from New York), along with Dave Keenan to provide workshop sessions throughout the day on topics like: nonfiction reading, conducting social surveys, expository writing, understanding rubrics, and asking higher level questions in the classroom. The teachers were receptive, open-minded, and happy to share when asked “What’s something new you are going to try with your students next week?”. And as always, having the opportunity to share a bit of knowledge with dedicated teachers is a true gift for me.

“My Librarian is a Camel” (from Betty)

Last week while teaching at Shine Zambia Reading Academy in Lusaka, one of my lessons focused on a wonderful nonfiction book called “My Librarian is a Camel.” When I showed the children the book, of course they thought the title was funny…how can a librarian be a camel?

They could see from the cover that camels were carrying books in baskets/containers slung on the top of them. I told the students that we were going to learn more about how books get into the hands of children and adults around the world. Whether by camel, boat, cart, mobile library truck or bus, elephant, or on foot…getting books into the hands of learners should be a priority around the world.

I asked the children if they knew where the books that make up the library at Shine came from. No one knew the answer to that question.

A key mission of A to Z Literacy Movement is to get books into the hands of the most vulnerable children not only in Zambia, but in other countries as well as local children in our Crystal Lake, Illinois area.

Our small but mighty nonprofit has shipped hundreds of books and has supplied heaps of teaching materials housed in Shine’s library. Not only is the library used for Shine students and teachers, but it’s become a hub of the Mutendere East compound…a community resource. Older students come here to study, adult education classes meet here, and students from Shine receive additional teaching and support before or after their morning/afternoon school hours.

I’m proud of the work A to Z Literacy does to uphold our mission, and so very thankful for the donations of money, time, and resources from so many people. Please consider a tax deductible donation to support and advance our mission and goals. Check out our annual report to see how donations of funds and books are translated directly into having a big impact on the lives of learners both globally and locally.

As always, grateful for your support.

I’ve been spending a lot of time at the guided reading table this week in 3^rd and 4^th grade. Honestly, is there a better place to be in the classroom? Teacher Gwanu, Teacher Mufukuli, and Teacher Chembo have graciously given me the opportunity to work with their small groups of students while observing my reading instruction. The focus – to increase independent reading (less choral reading) and to promote writing about the reading on day 2 or 3 of the lesson. The School of Hope students continue to impress me with their ideas and conversations about what they have read AND they are willing to try a few new things with Teacher Mal. 🙂 Bonus: A to Z Literacy shipped six boxes of gently used guided reading books earlier this year, so it’s exciting to be using materials we sent back in the January.

After my second visit with Teacher Gwanu, she sighed, “I just wish I wasn’t so old…I wish I could have known this way of teaching before,” to which I replied, “But think of how many children you will now impact from this day moving forward.”

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Mother Teresa

Hello again! I thought I’d post some additional photos of students working on their writing project today. Enjoy!