Emergent Reader Program Town Hall

Thursday, Dec 5 from 12-1pm

If you're serving an ERP student this year, we encourage you to join this Town Hall for a refresher on running the ERP program plus a deep dive into ERP best practices. We promise a fun and engaging time!

Register Here

Exciting New Partnership

We’re excited to share that Literations is now partnering with the Holmes Innovation School in Dorchester! This vibrant school community is a wonderful addition to our program, and we’re thrilled to support even more students in their literacy journey.

A special thank you to the volunteers who have stepped up to serve at this new site—your flexibility and dedication are deeply appreciated. We look forward to seeing the positive impact you’ll make at the Holmes as we grow into this exciting partnership!

Hub Training

• With the delayed start in Boston programs, we are targeting an early December date for new volunteer training in the EC Hub. Continue to check the Link for up-to-date information.

• A recording of our Refresher training can be found on the LINK .

Mark Your Calendar

Reminder - No Sessions

• Dec 23-January 3 - Winter Recess
• Jan 20 - MLK Day

Emergent Reader Program (ERP) Town Hall (Virtual) — OPTIONAL

Date: Thursday, Dec 5

Time: 12-1pm

Location: online

Register Here

Zoom Literacy Coach Drop-Ins — OPTIONAL

Do you have a student who has been hard to engage? Are you not sure how long is "just right" for sticking with one RAZ book before moving on? Do you wonder why most of our RAZ library books are nonfiction? You're not alone! 

Please join members of the Literations staff for drop-in hours to get advice on any program-related questions that may have popped up in the first weeks of sessions and have some great discussions with other coaches and Literations staff.

Dates and times:

• Tue, Dec 17 at 1pm
• Wed, Jan 15 at 1pm

No need to register in advance. Zoom link for all Drop-Ins: https://us02web.zoom.us/s/84150577396



Annual Volunteer Retreat — MANDATORY

Friday, January 10, 2023, 10am-1pm

Every year, Literations hosts a half-day retreat for Literacy Coaches as a way to build community, celebrate your work with students, and provide additional training and support. More info coming - please save the date (record as 3 hrs "training" time).

District Calendars

• Boston Public Schools
• Framingham Public Schools

NOTE: Attending live events should be tracked in the HUB under Training. Watching a recording should be logged under Direct/Other.

Student Social Emotional Learning Survey

We appreciate your dedication to your students and our program. Soon, we’ll ask you to complete a short Student Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Check-In Survey.

This 5-question survey helps us understand your students' social-emotional engagement and progress. It takes about 5 minutes per student and is based on your observations during the first 5–6 weeks of sessions. A rubric will be provided for guidance.

Thank you for helping us track and support student growth!



See more info here

Coach Observations

Continuing to Support Our Coaches

Literations observes coaches throughout the year so we can understand what’s working and where we may need to provide additional support and training for coaches. The stronger and more confident our coaches are in delivering our program, the stronger and more confident our students will become in their reading.

Our observations help make Literations an even better experience for both our coaches and students.

Team leaders and program staff will begin observing coaches (focusing on first-year volunteers first and returning volunteers next) in December and January. Please have a look at the observation form to see what team leaders will be observing and discussing with you. As you will see, the form follows our 30-minute structured session and provides opportunities for coaches to share what they need to feel confident and successful. 

Coach Observation Form

Volunteers Facebook Group!

Looking to connect with fellow volunteers, share tips, and celebrate successes? Our new Literations Volunteers Facebook Group is the perfect space to build community and stay inspired. Whether you’re seeking advice, sharing resources, or just want to join the conversation, we’d love to have you!

Community Events

Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy

Condition of Education 2025 Summit

Date:Thursday, January 30

Time: 8:30 AM

Location: UMass Club, One Beacon St, 32nd floor, Boston

More info and RSVP

While the holidays can be a time for gift-giving in many cultures, we ask that our volunteers refrain from giving gifts to their students. As an organization, we provide books throughout the year to our in-person students and have in past years provided end-of-year gift bags to all the students we serve. This ensures consistency across all our program sites and avoids creating any unintended inequities or misunderstandings.

We have a gift-giving policy in the Literations Volunteer Handbook (pg 32) you can refer to with your teams, site team leader, and program staff for discussion if your team is interested in potential gift-giving at the end of the program year.

That said, we know the holidays are a meaningful time to connect with students. If you’d like, you’re welcome to give them a card with a simple, general message like “Happy Holidays.” This keeps things inclusive, since students and their families may celebrate different holidays—or none at all—this time of year.

Coaching Quick Tips

Engaging the Hard-to-Engage Student

There are no quick fixes! No single approach will work for every student. Aim for progress (often gradual), not perfection.

• Start Small: Build rapport by sharing a smile, asking a simple question, or showing genuine interest in their favorite book or activity. Even small gestures can create connection.
• Offer Choices: Provide options during activities, like choosing which book to read or which game to play. Giving students a sense of control can increase their willingness to participate.
• Create Predictability: Establish a loose session routine (e.g., start with a question, read, then play a game). Predictable patterns help students feel secure and ready to learn.
• Mind Developmental Needs: Use clear, simple language and age-appropriate expectations. For younger students, break tasks into two-step directions and allow them to wiggle or move while working—it’s okay!
• Be Patient: Sometimes, the best approach is to give students time to warm up. Stay consistent, and don’t take disengagement personally. Be mindful of your tone when redirecting behavior. Remain calm, matter of fact and kind. 
• Use Movement: Incorporate physical activity, like acting out part of the story or a brief stretch break. Engaging their body can help focus their mind. It is okay (and sometimes even necessary) for a student to stand, bounce up and down, or wiggle while reading.

Refer to these resources for more strategies you can try.  EC Volunteer Workshop on Managing Distracting Behavior. Literations January 2024 Volunteer Retreat Slide deck (particularly slides 22-46 on engaging the reluctant student). January 2024 Retreat Recording Excerpt.