Proven Tools
for
Building Literacy
The Stories
A couple of new participants look somewhere between curious and wishing they were somewhere else as they take seats around the circle.
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My regular Stories and Crafts participants, however, look as if they’re wondering “Who will we meet today?" “What adventures will they have?”
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Then we begin with an engaging surprise to preview the theme of the upcoming story. It could be a video about one of the animals featured in the story, a famous old tale that parallels the newer one I’ll read, or maybe a song or a rhyming game.
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The children are actively engaged as the story unfolds – predicting what will happen next, responding to a character’s feelings, reacting to a sudden turn of events (“Oh no, what now?”) or joining in a refrain (“It’s baking day, it’s baking day, it’s baking day at grandma’s”).
Then it’s time for the craft, curated to extend the story’s theme while supporting development of critical literacy-related skills.
At story’s end, the children move to tables where I’ve set out all the materials needed for the art project or craft I selected (or in some cases designed myself) to support the story theme: clay, pipe cleaners, spoons, yarn, coffee filters, etc.
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Using different materials helps children explore new ways to express their ideas. Cutting, gluing, painting and coloring improve hand-eye coordination. Different textures, colors and shapes stimulate sensory experiences. Materials from different cultures broaden knowledge of the world.
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Relating these benefits to stories curated for the ages and interests of each group can help expand creativity and imagination, build self-esteem and problem-solving skills, increase language development and promote collaboration.
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Research has shown that this combination punches well above its weight in advancing literacy for pre-readers, early readers and struggling readers.
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Oh, and those newbies who weren’t sure what they’d gotten into – they asked when they could do another session of Stories and Crafts.​
The Crafts
Who can benefit from
Stories & Crafts?
Pre-Readers
Early Readers
Struggling Readers
Stories & Crafts
plus additional services
wherever children need help
building literacy skills
Homeschool groups
Onsite read-alouds + art activities
Story discussions
Curriculum skills alignment
Enrichment reading plans
Independent reading ideas
Parent/child activities
and books to share
Home library ideas
Programs for ages 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Preschools
Onsite read-alouds + art activities
Alphabet knowledge
Phonemic awareness
Language games
Multimedia story previews
Story circle conversations
Age-appropriate picture books
After-school/out-of-school programs;
Learn365RI;
Charter Schools
Onsite read-alouds + art activities
Academic enrichment to
support curriculum standards
At-Home activities
​Staff training workshops
School vacation and summer literacy enrichment
Book clubs
Family Night events
"Jane has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and creativity in her approach to childhood education and enrichment. Her program reflects her deep understanding of child development and educational psychology."
- Nicole Dufresne
Chief Executive Officer
Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence
"Miss Jane's sessions consistently held the children's attention for over an hour -- a remarkable feat given the age range...her passion and dedication to the children's growth are second to none."
- Kyle R. Dennis
Director of Operations
Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence
"When the California Reading Initiative was launched...you provided sets of recommended literature titles to eleven pilot schools that now serve as models of excellence."
-- Bill Honig
Superintendent of Public Instruction
California State Department of Education