Early Literacy Tutoring
In support of school district priorities, we are engaging elementary school students in-person with high-dosage literacy tutoring. This means the children reading below grade level will receive tutoring multiple times each week to accelerate their learning. We work to build the literacy and comprehension skills needed for students to succeed academically in reading, writing and math.
The systematic approach guides tutors to work with students in small groups using the Ravenswood district's structured phonics-based curriculum to accelerate student reading and comprehension skills. Students meet with tutors multiple times per week, decoding words by breaking them down in parts and understanding the sounds that letters make. This phonics-based program involves a set of structured and explicit routines. Each lesson builds on the last. Tutors and students alike can monitor their progress as they move through the lessons together each week.
For our youngest learners in Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten, our program is more unstructured in nature and supports developmentally appropriate approaches to early literacy. Our tutors focus on letter names and sounds. Once students know 20 letter names and sounds, we will work with the classroom teacher to transition them to a phonics-based program to continue building their literacy skills. The phonics-based program keeps things fun for the students and tutors alike, using songs and chants to encourage learning.
Interested in volunteering? Sign up and volunteer. We look forward to supporting you in the classroom.
The systematic approach guides tutors to work with students in small groups using the Ravenswood district's structured phonics-based curriculum to accelerate student reading and comprehension skills. Students meet with tutors multiple times per week, decoding words by breaking them down in parts and understanding the sounds that letters make. This phonics-based program involves a set of structured and explicit routines. Each lesson builds on the last. Tutors and students alike can monitor their progress as they move through the lessons together each week.
For our youngest learners in Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten, our program is more unstructured in nature and supports developmentally appropriate approaches to early literacy. Our tutors focus on letter names and sounds. Once students know 20 letter names and sounds, we will work with the classroom teacher to transition them to a phonics-based program to continue building their literacy skills. The phonics-based program keeps things fun for the students and tutors alike, using songs and chants to encourage learning.
Interested in volunteering? Sign up and volunteer. We look forward to supporting you in the classroom.
Sidney MarksSidney is a long time volunteer who currently works with Kindergarten students at Costaño School in East Palo Alto to learn their letters and letter sounds as part of the school district’s new phonics-focused literacy program. The lessons are a series of short games which make the sessions fun for students and tutors alike.
Sidney particularly likes being able to work one-on-one or in pairs with students and feels that connection is the key to helping the youngest students learn. She says, “My favorite parts of volunteering are making a connection with the students and then being able to help them with their schoolwork. Young students are so eager to learn." She continues, “It is such a joy to see the "lightbulb" moment and to witness the sense of accomplishment in the students when they have learned/mastered something new. Most of the time, the pathway to that "lightbulb" moment is the tutor’s relationship and connection with the student.” |
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Kerrin MeinhardtAnother long-time volunteer, Kerrin Meindardt, has been working recently with 2nd graders learning to sound out new words and improve reading skills. “I learned how to read with phonics and helped my children learn the same way. I can see that the new Ravenswood program called SIPPS is helping my students improve their reading."
Kerrin is a creative tutor, using games to encourage her students. “I'd take the site word flash cards and play a game. The more words they knew and the faster they went, I’d act like my arm was tired and I’d say "Oh my goodness, my arm cannot even keep up with you!" I always got giggles and smiles, and then we would continue on with the rest of the lesson." What is Kerrin’s favorite part of volunteering? “The SMILES!! I love seeing when that lightbulb comes on or seeing them give their friend a hug when they get something right.” Kerrin also loves the hugs she gets from her students when she visits the classroom. Tutoring in Ravenswood is one of her favorite moments of the week. |
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Carrie LittlefieldCarrie joined RCP as a tutor in 2025 and began working in our early literacy program in a Kindergarten class at Costaño School. She worked with two groups of students during her one hour session once a week. Carrie has loved tutoring students. "Working with my students is one of the highlights of my week. It is so rewarding to see them go from only knowing a few letters to being real readers! I worked with two groups of students using the SIPPS and SEEDS programs including several English language learners and everyone made progress. I’m so happy I could play a positive role in building their confidence and developing their joy of reading." |
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Chuck KatzChuck began tutoring students in reading with RCP in early 2023. In early 2026, he told us, "I've been doing literacy tutoring at Belle Haven in Ms. Farac's classroom for three years. I really enjoy getting to know the kids individually, and to see their confidence with reading grow throughout the school year. I believe that the kids we tutor benefit by having the opportunity to work in small groups or one-on-one to reinforce skills that they're taught in the classroom or by the reading specialists."
He goes on to say "I'd encourage others to volunteer because working with the kids is genuinely fun and has a substantial positive impact. RCP is a well-run organization with a valuable mission, and provides great support and training for its volunteer tutors." |
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