​ TEACHING HEART WORDS  High Frequency word lists have been around since Dr. Edmund Fry invented them in the 1950s. Teachers have had lists to teach, grade by grade for many decades. ​ High Frequency words are defined as “the most common words in written English that help form the building blocks of literacy, helping readers build fluency by recognizing them instantly.” This recognition frees up mental energy for understanding and decoding more complex words and texts. ​ More

WELCOME DERRYDOWN We are delighted to share some wonderful news!  Last spring Vice Principal Mihaela Avram at Derrydown PS  reached out through our website.  Since then she and her team have worked very hard promoting VRP to their school community.  Thanks to their enthusiasm and hard work VRP is now officially launched at Derrydown (DD)!  They kicked off this week with two days, will read next week and are gearing up for a full volunteer schedule in January.  Incredibly this

Last week we received a really good question from an experienced volunteer who is finding that some of her little readers are having difficulty with letter recognition and retaining what she has taught them from week to week. She would like some tips on how to move these children forward.  She has kept the sessions fun using all the tools available: magnetic letters, alphabet books and helping them practise writing the letters. In September, during the Returning Volunteers Wo

MUNSCH AND OTHER FAVOURITES Many of us have favourite storybooks that we never outgrow.  Robert Munsch’s books are definitely on that list!  While his books are often beyond the reading level of the children in VRP they are wonderful read-alouds.  Their rhythm, humour and predictable repetition invite children to join in and help them gain reading confidence.  Robert Munsch recently announced that he is donating his entire personal archive to the Guelph Public Library.  He ha

WHAT IF THE CLASSROOM IS EMPTY? The schools run on a rotating-day schedule. Tuesday this week may be day 2 and the children are in the classroom but another week Tuesday is day 3 and they may be in the gym and not available for reading at that time.  When this happens adjust the VRP schedule by going to get other children on our list and come back to the first group later or take the listed alternates.  It’s important that we be flexible and let the teacher and the day’s sche

ON DYSLEXIA Dyslexia is estimated to afflict between 10 and 20 percent of the world's population.  Chances are, you will see it sometime in your reading with VRP.  I highly recommend this 35-minute audio chat (from the American Psychological Association) with up-to-date information from an expert in the field: https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology You will hear Dr. Tim Odegard discuss Dyslexia facts and common misunderstandings.  He describes how reading di

Questions or Concerns at School? If you have a question for anything related to VRP — whether it is students, schedules, materials, or answering general questions about your reading sessions the first step is to reach out to your School Coordinator (SC) or Kristina.  Please do not go to teachers as this can disrupt classroom routines. Your SC or Kristina have the full picture and can help handle things in a timely way.  Remember your SC and Kristina are your VRP support team!

FALL TERM FAQs Q: What should I do if the child doesn’t know any letters? Start with playful, supportive activities! Try word games, focus on letter sounds, and consider using Bob Books. A simple game to try: Use magnetic letters or alphabet cards to spell out your name and the child’s name. Go through each letter’s name and sound. Pick one or two letters and ask the child to think of other words that start with the same sound. Write those words on the whiteboard or in their

HAPPY READERS ACROSS THE GTA Fifteen schools started their reading sessions this week, and most of our partner schools will be back to reading next week. By October 20th, VRP volunteers will be sharing stories and smiles with young readers in 31 locations! Thank you for your patience, your commitment to learning about VRP, and for spreading the word to your friends. Your referrals and support help us meet the growing number of requests from new schools. Together, we’re making

On September 29th six* outstanding volunteers were recognized for the many years of continuous service they have devoted to Volunteer Readers Programme.  The ceremony at Toronto Reference Library was a heartfelt celebration of the unwavering commitment and generosity shown by long-serving individuals across the province. 15 Year Certificate Recipients: Marg Fisher (15 years), Andy Lipchak (14 years) 10 Year Certificate Recipients: Marjie Calla (13 years), Helen Foss (13 years

New Fall Term Schedules  will be available on the website starting September 30th.  VRP start dates vary from the first week of October to after Thanksgiving.   Please check HERE  for your list of super star School Coordinators.  VRP would not succeed with the extra help and support of these amazing volunteers! (Learn more about becoming a volunteer SC .) ​ HUGE THANK YOU  to Alison, Carolyn, Chris, Jenn, Judy A., Judy M. and Mary for delivering supplies to extra schools.  Ho

ONLY 3 WEEKS LEFT! The official last day of reading for the 2024-25 School Year is Friday, May 16.  That is 3 short weeks away!  Kristina...

READING GUIDE Even though the science of reading is top of mind these days reading a good storybook and having fun during VRP is still...

WRITING NOTES IN RECORD BOOKS With VRP ‘graduation’ celebrations coming up at the end of this term please keep in mind that Record Books...

WELCOME CRESCENT TOWN  AND SECORD ELEMENTARY  SCHOOLS Special thank you to Marjie Calla who started the week with a special Zoom New...

CLEVER GAME AT RAWLINSON Please enjoy this happy little note from Volunteer and VRP Board Member Elizabeth Morley: “Our little readers at...

SPRING TERM SCHEDULES A great big THANK YOU to our School Coordinators: Carolyn Kinzie (CH), Ashley Symons (EB), Helen Foss-Pollock (FL),...

SNOW DAY Thank you everyone for working so hard to attend VRP sessions this week.  To those of you who were stuck in laneways or had a...

VRP GETS LOVE  AT FLEMINGTON VRP was thrilled to read this happy note from Marg Fisher (volunteer since 2009!) last week: Flemington has...

Recently, a volunteer asked the following questions: Should the children know capital and lower-case letters equally well? Are we better...