Programming in 2023-24

In the 2022-23 school year, we were able to return to widespread in-person reading for the first time since 2020, offering One-to-One SMART alongside a pandemic adaptation, Classroom SMART. For schools that weren’t able to implement one of these two models, we still provided students with books to keep. In the 2023-24 school year, we are thrilled that even more schools are returning to in-person, one-on-one reading, which means we’re able to provide the combination of shared reading time and access to books that SMART is known for! Read on for an overview of the services we’re offering:

One-to-One SMART: 

Our original model, One-to-One SMART pairs a trained community volunteer with a student for weekly individual, in-person reading sessions.

Classroom SMART: 

Classroom SMART pairs a trained community volunteer with a classroom for regular group read-alouds either virtually or in-person. Developed during the pandemic, this model has proven to be a popular and effective tool for building reading engagement and getting kids excited about books.

Book to Keep:

All students served by SMART receive books to keep, which includes access to SMART Storytime, our digital library of read-alouds. For students in One-to-One SMART and Classroom SMART, we have book giveaway days twice per month. 

In the Portland area, the Children’s Book Bank at SMART Reading offers a robust suite of programs focused on getting books into the hands and homes of kids from birth through eighth-grade. We’re also beginning to pilot this model in other communities. To learn more, visit www.SMARTReading.org/book-bank