Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s Early Grade Literacy program is a school based, yearlong, instructional and enrichment literacy program designed for children in kindergarten – third grades. Our literacy program helps children develop the skills and attitudes necessary to become proficient readers by the fourth grade. The program uses literacy-based enrichment activities to make reading fun while building critical early literacy skills.

The school based instructional and enrichment program inspires children to use reading as a tool to discover new topics and learn new information about topics that interest them. The literacy and academic curriculum allow girls to explore fun and fascinating themes including: nature, career exploration, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) leadership, character development, sports, history and culture.

Program participants develop an enthusiasm for reading. The reading and literacy-based activities are used as tools to give children time with text, learn about the world and become healthy, educated, and independent.  Weekly age and developmentally appropriate lessons focus on reading, grammar, comprehension, writing, spelling, oral reading, vocabulary, composing simple sentences, reading fluency, reading fluency, and phonetics.

Get involved with our Early Grade Literacy program by becoming a Book Buddy. Book Buddies assist us in making reading fun while building the critical early literacy skills our children need to be successful in life. Participants in the program benefit from the support of adult literacy mentors doing various literacy-based activities including: individual or small group read-a-loud activities, work with flash cards, or playing reading games.