Who we are

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Do I need to have a background or a degree in education?
Absolutely not!  All you need is a servant's spirit and a willing heart! We will train you how to use a basic sight word list.  We welcome any volunteers over 18 years of age.

What are Foundational Words?
Foundational Words are called 'Sight' Words.  The list we use are 1000 words that educator Edward Fry determined a reader must recognize and understand on sight. Fry words are divided into levels of 100 words, which are roughly equivalent to grade levels.  To show the importance of these words, the first 300 words on the list represent about 67% of all the words students will encounter in their reading. Reaching mastery of the first 300 words by the 3rd grade is a benchmark goal.

Why focus on Fry words?
The National Institute for Literacy states, 'having a bank of sight words releases a reader's attention needed for comprehension and for figuring out more difficult and less frequent words'. In other words, more brain power is freed up for other aspects of reading.

What about phonics?
Our coaches do not use phonics.  The READ Team assists the classroom teacher by teaching the children to memorize the Fry words. Studies show that second graders who received one-on-one coaching gained nearly twice as many foundational words in a year as students who received no coaching.  The READ Team program is approved by the Jackson Madison County School Board.

Do you need lots of volunteers to make this work?
Yes! One volunteer coach can help two students.  Start there.  Literacy learning can start with YOU! 

Why focus on Second-Graders?
The second grade is the last year a student receives focused attention on learning how to read.  K-2nd grades students 'learn-to-read', but by 3rd grade on they are expected to 'read-to-learn.'

How much time does it take?
Volunteer coaches give one hour once a week from approximately mid-September to mid-April.  We follow the JMCSS calendar, which includes holidays, testing days, and field trips.

What is the most essential element for The READ Team?
The most essential element is finding faithful, committed, and flexible volunteer coaches.

How many students does one coach have?
A coach will have two students every hour, divided into two individual 30-minute sessions. By the time you get set up, you have 20-23 minutes per child, and the time goes by quickly!

​What does a typical routine look like for a The READ Team volunteer coach?
1) Coaches arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled times. 

2) Check-in at the school office.

3) Locate our coaching area and access your coaches' box and file folders of your two students.  

4) At the scheduled time, the Room Captain will bring the first group of students.

5) When the time is finished, the Room Captain will take the first group back to their classrooms and bring the second group.

I'm ready to get involved. How do I start?
Register online, submit a background check, and attend training.

​How long does The READ Team training last?
One hour of your time!