Student Outreach News

Student literacy is a priority at Carver Middle School

We asked Ms. Stephanie Smith, the Instructional Designer at Carver Middle School this question.

She responded: "If students do not have books at home there is zero chance they are reading or being read to. If they have books, there is a chance. While we cannot go home with students and make sure they are reading, just like we can't make sure they are doing homework or getting nutritious meals, we still can provide them and their guardians the tools and information about the importance of reading. We can't deny the tools just because we think they might not use them. I truly believe if kids have books at home they will read. If students are reading or being read to at home teachers will, over time, see a change in students' school performance. They will have an increased vocabulary, increased background knowledge, improved reading comprehension, usually better reading stamina, and heightened confidence in their academic abilities. There is a ton of research that supports the need for books in the home. Here is one brief article to support the practice.

Carver's book vending machine was generously gifted to us by our superintendent. Students can receive a coin to get a free book to keep, or read and trade-in for a new book by winning book trivia questions, earning PBIS points, recording a book talk to be shared during morning announcements, attending school events, etc. We are brainstorming additional ways for students to win a book."