Read With Me

One of my favorite "jobs"( joys)  is visiting STAIR Birmingham sites all over the city and taking photographs. Today, I was right at home at my church, Independent Presbyterian Church. STAIR ( Start The Adventure In Reading) provides twice a week, one on one reading tutoring for second grade students from Birmingham City Schools. It's a wonderful program providing much needed reading mentoring along with a lot of love.

STAIR Birmingham now has 14 sites throughout the city and growing. Please visit their website to learn more. 

Lenten Photo a Day Project - Day 31 WITH

Learning with love.

STAIR Birmingham

For the 40 days of Lent, I will be posting a photo each day using the list from RethinkChurch.org. I've been wanting a project to push my photography. Regardless of your religious beliefs,  I hope you will enjoy my offerings and perhaps some of you might want to join as well. #rethinkchurch #40days

The Joy of Learning!

I have the privilege of photographing STAIR (Start The Adventure in Reading) students and their tutors all over this city for STAIR Birmingham. Wednesday, I visited Booker T Washington Elementary and captured this sweet girl and her loving tutor. STAIR pairs second graders in Birmingham City Schools with tutors for after school,  one on one reading instruction twice a week. The results are amazing!

Start The Adventure in Reading

Oh many of you have learned about STAIR Birmingham from reading my blog these many years. Yesterday I made two STAIR site visits, Oliver Elementary and Avondale United Methodist Church, for photos. When I walked into the big hall at Avondale, from across the room I heard, "Hey Ms. Jones!".  Considering I've been retired over 7 years, I was thrilled she recognized me.  I taught her brother in third grade and he's a junior at Homewood High now, and she is a STAIR tutor. Filled my heart!

This student's tutor told me she is making terrific progress in her second language. I know how hard learning a new language is and so proud of this sweet girl.

Birmingham Reads Day!!

As I have said many times......... I LOVE THIS "JOB"!!!  Yesterday I was asked to photograph Birmingham Reads at Whatley Elementary.  Birmingham Reads Day is sponsored by the Literacy Council, The Children's Literacy Guild, Better Basics, and the Junior League of Birmingham. On this very special day, 775 guest readers volunteered their time to read in every elementary classroom in Birmingham City Schools!  As a former elementary teacher this was right up my alley.  Today meet Birmingham Mayor William Bell who thrilled this room of eager students as their guest reader. More to come!

January Theme Day - CHANGE

"Be the change you want to see in the world"

Gandhi

What could be more important than helping a child become a better reader? Today some photos of STAIR ( Start The Adventure In Reading) reading programs around our city.

Today City Daily Photobloggers around our world are posting their interpretation of the theme CHANGE.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

CDP THEME DAY -BOOKS

Today is Theme Day for 178 City Daily Photo participants around the world.  I love this day because I can hardly wait to see how each and everyone of this creative group has interpreted the theme.  This photo is from one of my favorite Birmingham hot spots.... Reed Books, The Museum of Fond Memories.  I have posted many photos here and here.  It is the most sublime jumble of memorabilia and books that you could ever hope to uncover!  This photo is from a tiny room that is WALL TO WALL books just like this.  As a former teacher the best advice I could ever offer parents is this..... read to your child, listen to your child read,  encourage them to read, talk to them about they/you have read,  let them see YOU read,  read together!  Got it? READ, READ, READ!!!!

The Tune du Jour is " I've Got A Crush On You" by Rod Stewart and Diana Ross.  Oh I do LOVE this one!!!

PARIS COUNTDOWN... 15 DAYS

Discover Rod Stewart!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants