Chattanooga’s Girls Inc. Sparks Joy for Young Readers
In the heart of Chattanooga, a vibrant learning initiative is lighting up faces of young girls every Tuesday afternoon. It all started when Jasmine Dalton, a dedicated volunteer, gathered eager participants from the Girls Inc. Bookworm Club. With excitement buzzing in the air, the girls prepared for an enriching session focused on exploring the cosmos through the lens of literacy, thanks to a new approach that makes reading both fun and relevant to their school lessons.
The Magic of Literacy
The afternoon kicked off with Dalton drawing attention to a whiteboard filled with words that would soon come to life in the pages of an engaging book about animal constellations. As she read aloud, the room was alive with chatter as the girls recognized familiar terms, shouting them out with glee. Each turn of the page was an invitation for questions and comments, creating a dynamic conversation around the stars above them.
After diving into celestial stories, the program transitioned to a creative arts activity. The girls watched a video about birds and then dived into a hands-on project that involved painting skies and decorating miniature birdhouses. This blend of literacy and creativity is not just a fun way to spend the afternoon; it’s a crucial part of an initiative designed to bolster literacy skills and cultivate a love for reading.
A Collaborative Effort for Young Readers
This enriching experience is a direct result of a collaborative effort by Chattanooga 2.0, a local educational group. They created a specially designed toolkit aimed at helping after-school providers incorporate literacy supports into their programs. The goal? To ensure students can continue building on their school lessons in a relaxed, artistic environment.
As the girls engaged in these activities, they were actually reinforcing concepts they’d been learning in school — crucially, the curriculum being taught is part of a broader initiative aimed at improving literacy rates in Hamilton County. This innovative approach also helps align what kids are experiencing at school with what they can explore in their after-school programs.
Addressing Literacy Holistically
Brandon Hubbard-Heitz, the director of literacy and student strategies at Chattanooga 2.0, emphasized the importance of coherence in education. “We don’t want kids to be learning about paleontology in school, but then be reading about planets in after-school programs,” he explained. The objective is to create a seamless learning experience that involves parents, caregivers, and out-of-school time providers, ensuring everyone is on the same page for the children’s literacy journey.
This literacy toolkit transforms after-school sessions into lively, interactive learning experiences where teachers and volunteers follow a framework that includes read-alouds and engaging activities that children adore. “The labs are perfect for after-school settings, allowing kids to play while learning,” said Hubbard-Heitz.
Feedback from the Ground
The program has already shown promising results. Fance Brannock, senior director of programming at Girls Inc. of Chattanooga, noted, “The lightbulb moment happens when girls realize they’re diving into topics they just encountered at school.” It bridges their classroom learning with after-school activities, making the whole experience more relatable and exciting for the girls.
Since its pilot in the spring, which involved feedback from organizations like Girls Inc., Chattanooga 2.0 has expanded its toolkit to four different providers across the area, each uniquely tailoring activities to engage their students effectively. As young girls assist each other with new vocabulary, it nurtures a community of learners who feel more connected to their education.
Looking Ahead to a Brighter Future
With an ambitious goal set for 2030, Chattanooga 2.0 aims for 70% of Hamilton County’s third through fifth graders to be reading and writing at grade level. Hubbard-Heitz added, “Schools play an essential role, but literacy is a shared responsibility, and we’re working to make sure everyone has the right tools to nurture it.”
As Chattanooga continues to push forward with these initiatives, it’s clear that the future is bright for young readers — one constellation at a time.
