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A Morning at Evelyn Alexander School
 It is a crisp, snowy morning with a clear blue sky. Inside of Evelyn Alexander School in North Chicago, Site Coordinators Marion Schmidt and Joanie Alley chat around a table with five Reading Power tutors.
"Try to allow students to figure out a missed word the first time," Marion says, "unless it's a word that is repeated in the book. Jot that word down as a miscue. That way, we can see where they're struggling, and tomorrow's tutor will know to look for it."
Even though many of the tutors in the room have been tutoring with Reading Power for years, "It helps to go over the details," says Tom Wood, tutor and board member. "Each time, we get better."
These table meetings occur every morning at each Reading Power site before tutoring begins. In addition to keeping everyone current, it helps to create a bond among tutors.
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Tutors Kathy Lowell and Tom Wood
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One by one, the children begin to arrive. "How are you, honey?" asks newly retired teacher Kathy Lowell of her student. "Did you get a haircut? It looks so nice."
Tom Wood leans toward his little charge. "Did you have a nice Thanksgiving? We got a lot of snow! Did you have a snowball fight?"
Kathy says, "High five! You finished your 100 Fast Words! Great job!" Smiles all around.
Very quickly, they get to work, reading a book for the fourth time.
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Site Coordinator Marion Schmidt discusses plants with Jaidah.
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Across the room, Marion listens as Jaidah reads a nonfiction book called "How Plants Grow." They talk about seed coats, and roots on plants and trees. "Which picture is your favorite?" Marion asks.
"I like the ocean picture," Jaidah replies. "I can see the bite marks on the plants!"
And in these moments, books come to life for these children, opening doors into the world around them.
The thirty-five minute session flies by. The children will have read four books, chosen a new library book, written sentences in their journals, and perhaps mastered a new Fast Word. They pack up their books in their book bags and say goodbye to their tutors. "See you next time. Have a great day!"
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Each day, Reading Power students are given books to take home and read to their families. This "homework" is essential to advancing their literacy skills. Since being given brand new cloth book bags, students have become more responsible in completing their reading homework, and in returning their books the following day.
Reading Power students also are given Beanie Babies to serve as "reading buddies" because we know that a parent or adult is not always available to listen to them read at home.
