USAID/ READ CO School Level Reading and Writing Skills Development Activity Manual

The manual is a product of the USAID-funded Reading for Ethiopia's Achievement Developed Community Outreach (READ CO) project, which aims to increase access to grade-level appropriate reading materials and strengthen parental and community engagement in support of children's learning to read. The manual is intended for use by school reading and writing volunteers, mother tongue language teachers, students, school directors, deputy school directors, school cluster supervisors, and parents and community members. It provides guidance on how to establish and manage reading and writing clubs, reading corners, and other initiatives to support reading and writing development at the school level. The manual is organized into five main components: reading and writing clubs, reading corners, school reading and writing clubs volunteers, supplementary reading materials, and parent and community support to activities at school level. Each component is designed to provide practical guidance and resources to support the development of reading and writing skills among primary school students. Reading and writing clubs are co-curricular meetings of children in grades 1 to 4 to participate in reading and writing activities. The manual provides guidance on the purpose, participants, and management of reading and writing clubs. It also includes information on how to establish and manage reading corners, which are designated areas in the classroom where supplementary reading materials for mother tongue languages are stored and made available to students. The manual also provides guidance on the role of school reading and writing volunteers, who are individuals who have completed grades 10-12 and are able to read and write the language of the school. These volunteers are expected to play a key role in leading and supporting reading activities in their school on an ongoing basis. Supplementary reading materials are non-textbook instructional resources used for reading instruction and practices. The manual provides information on the types of supplementary reading materials available, including decodable, read-aloud, and leveled books, and how they can be used to support reading and writing development. Finally, the manual provides guidance on how parents and community members can support reading and writing development at the school level. It includes information on how parents and community members can provide resources, such as bookshelves and reader books, and participate in fundraising activities to support school reading initiatives. Overall, the School Level Reading and Writing Skills Development Activity Manual is a valuable resource for anyone involved in supporting the development of reading and writing skills among primary school students in Ethiopia. It provides practical guidance and resources to support the establishment and management of reading and writing clubs, reading corners, and other initiatives to support reading and writing development at the school level.