R.E.A.L. promotes well-being, social skills, and emotional competency by providing meaningful opportunities for children to connect with members of their community. This not only offers a fun and exciting shift in the day-to-day pattern of the classroom but also allows children to communicate and learn important social skills through literacy-modeling and authentic conversations with the volunteer mentors. The richly diverse and thoughtful library of texts included in R.E.A.L. further entrench feelings of well-being, offering a depth of variety that ensures every child feels represented and included. In addition, the Mentor Guides and Family Guides provide numerous activities and opportunities for social interaction, emotional development, and text- to-self connections. The R.E.A.L. program has shifted the culture in the classroom. The volunteers bring fresh energy, patience, and enthusiasm to our school. Our students enjoy the read- alouds and the teachers enjoy a break, which helps manage burnout. Phyllis McKissack, a family resource coordinator using R.E.A.L. in Harrison Elementary, Kentucky
SCHOLASTIC R.E.A.L. FOUNDATION PAPER 16
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