Volunteer writing coaches for Crown Heights public school literacy workshops

Behind_the_Book

Volunteer with Behind the Book, a non-profit literacy organization that inspires New York City public school students to love reading. Through our innovative programs, accomplished authors lead workshops in high-needs pre-K-12 classrooms, where they guide students in creating their own writing and art projects based on the theme of the author's book.

No experience or training is necessary to volunteer as a writing coach in the classroom. You'll support, engage, and encourage students as they edit and polish their work.

These three programs need your support this week at a Crown Heights elementary school. To sign up, contact [email protected] with the program code(s). We'll supply the address, directions, and other information when you're confirmed:

PROGRAM 2415LCR-CG
Date: Tuesday, November 28th, 2017
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 AM

About the program: Fifth-graders explored the history of germs with Germs: Fact and Fiction, Friends and Foes by Lesa Cline-Ransome. They visited the New York Hall of Science for a workshop on microscopes and microbes, where they learned how research is conducted. With the help of writing coaches, students will edit pieces written from the perspective of a germy object. Their writing and artwork will be published in a book.

PROGRAM 2413RH-B
Date: Tuesday, November 28th, 2017
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM

About the program: A re-imagining of the classic fairy tale, Princess and the Peas by author/illustrator Rachel Himes is a story about family, community, and food set in the American South and featuring Black protagonists. It inspired these third-graders to write their own fairy tales that relate to their personal experiences. Writing coaches will help them polish their drafts. Their writing and artwork will be published in a book.

PROGRAM 2414YC-R
Date: Thursday, November 30th, 2017
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 AM

About the program: Fourth-graders—all English Language Learners, immigrants, or first-generation children of immigrants—read Yangsook Choi’s The Name Jar, about a Korean girl’s immigration journey to the US. Students explored their experiences of discrimination, feelings of difference, and cultural pride by looking for parallels to their own lives in the story. Writing coaches will help them edit their pieces about an object important to their identity and family.

Visit our volunteer opportunities page to find more program dates in Crown Heights, Fort Greene, Bed-Stuy, and other boroughs throughout the school year.

To join our team and receive announcements of new volunteer opportunities as they're scheduled, please complete our brief questionnaire.