Readers Connected Katie L. Chicago, Illinois

Connecting with Struggling Readers National Teachers Academy (NTA) Student Demographics 97% Receive Free and/or Reduced Lunch Majority of students with 1 incarcerated parent Students reside in nearby Housing Project Many students lack quality relationships with adults NTA Students Lack Previous Success with Reading and Writing NTA Students Lack Excitement towards Reading and Writing In2Books breaks this cycle of negativity towards reading and writing and fosters a life long love and an excitement for reading and writing. In2Books allows struggling writers to realize that they do have a voice and that someone wants to know what they are thinking.

Teachers Connected Easy to Navigate Teacher Site Teacher Blog on In2Books Website Allows Teachers to Share Experiences and Provide Insights on Implementation Practices Mail Center on In2Books Website Allows Teachers to Contact Pen Pals and Provide Updates on Class Activity In2Books Call Center Supports via Phone or Lessons and Genre Descriptions on In2Books Website Support Implementation and Enrich Curriculum In2Books is Standards Based and Research Proven

Selection of Quality Literature Variety of Differentiated Texts and Genres to Choose From Students Choose From Teacher Identified Book Choices Books Create a Personal Library for Students Books Enrich Curriculum and Support Standards Based Instruction

Adult Pen Pals are Personally Invested Adult Pen Pals Create an Authentic Audience for Students Exchange of Letters Create Exciting Dialogues About Books Read for Both Adult and Student Pen Pals Glimpse of Readers Connected Maren and Davieon, Introductory Cycle

Glimpse of Readers Connected Maren and Davieon, Introductory Cycle Letters Generate Student Excitement and Provide an Opportunity for Students to Share About Self and About Books Read In2Books Site is Easy for Students to Use and Walks Students Through Writing Process

Glimpse of Readers Connected Maren and Davieon, Introductory Cycle Pen Pals’ Responses to Students’ Questions Invests Students in the Reading and Writing Process Pen Pals’ Responses Encourage Extended Dialogue and Student Interest in Books

Glimpse of Readers Connected Melanie and Rhaquen, Social Studies Cycle Pen Pals’ Questions Encourage Close Reading and Development of Constructed Responses Pen Pals’ Questions Offer a Different Perspective on Students’ Initial Reading of Book

Glimpse of Readers Connected Melanie and Rhaquen, Social Studies Cycle Students’ Responses are Detailed with Evidence from the Text Students Desire to Further Dialogue by Asking Pen Pal Additional Questions About Book

Connections with Technology Technology Component Generates Student Excitement (alternative to paper and pencil!) Enables Students to Become More Computer Literate Use of Clip Art and Borders Offers Students Opportunity to Express Themselves and Enhance Their Letter Visually Online In2Books Site Allows Students to Access Site at Home or at Library

Student Connections Davieon says that his favorite aspect of In2Books is that, “There is actually a person who is reading my letters and she likes Jerry Spinelli too! She always asks me about the Book Team that I am on at school and that’s really nice of her.” Julian says, “I can not wait to learn more about my pen pal’s new baby! And do you know that my pen pal reads The Watsons Go To Birmingham to her class and we’re reading the same book aloud in our class? I think that’s really cool!”

Connect Your Class to In2Books Today!