Through our Authors-in-Schools program, Wondermore brings acclaimed authors and illustrators directly into Boston public school K-8 classrooms serving economically disadvantaged students for curriculum-aligned presentations and interactive discussions.
Wondermore's Authors-in-Schools program brings authors and illustrators of color into those Boston public school classrooms serving the most economically disadvantaged students - who are themselves overwhelmingly ethnic minorities - and provide an opportunity for them to see their own story in an author's or illustrator's work.
Authors-in-Schools visits organized by Wondermore provide innovative academic enrichment for students who have very few such opportunities, due to lack of resources. These visits extend and enhance the literacy curriculum in underserved schools, inspire and support teachers and librarians, and provide new ways to engage students in reading and writing.
As a result of an author visit, Wondermore is able to observe dramatic increases in library circulation of an author's books (many of which are donated by Wondermore) after a visit, creating a link between author visits and increased student interest in reading. Research has shown that increased reading supports vocabulary acquisition and usage, which underlies Wondermore's mission of fostering children's curiously, creativity and academic achievement.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).