Unlock the Power of Literacy with the Y! 📚
Our Y Read program helps children and teens gain confidence and increase their reading comprehension and word recognition skills. The program provides one-on-one literacy tutoring to those who are at least one grade level behind in reading. Our supportive volunteer tutors nurture the potential of youth in our community through the support of Y staff, training, and provided literacy materials. Students typically meet once or twice weekly with their tutors at a local library.
Volunteer as a YMCA Literacy Tutor
YMCA Community Literacy is powered by caring adults who believe every child deserves the chance to become a confident reader. As a volunteer tutor, you’ll provide one-on-one literacy support and encouragement. Training, materials, and ongoing support are provided.
In-Person Tutoring
Work directly with students at public libraries throughout Metro St. Louis.
Virtual Tutoring
Support learners online from anywhere.
Explore Reading Resources
Active Reading Games:
Spelling Workout - Perform a certain number of a certain exercise to represent each letter. Kids can spell their names or other words. Here is the chart for each Letter.
Sight Word Hopscotch - Create a hopscotch pattern and it each box write one sight word. Here is a list the 100 most common words. On rainy days, use masking tape to create the hopscotch pattern and write words on a piece of tape as well.
Whole Body Spelling - Like spelling “YMCA” with your arms from the famous song. Kids create letter shapes using their bodies. Groups can spell whole words.
Reading Walk - This is a walk where each stop along the way is a page in a book to read. When all the stops have been visited the book is complete. Directions here.
Inexpensive Books:
Greater St. Louis Book Fair has a non-profit day - you must pre-register to attend that day where all remaining books are free to nonprofits.
St. Louis Public Library has Educator Accounts - includes staff for Summer Camp and Y Club
Book Clubs to-go:
Book Discussion Kits are designed for groups to read and discuss the same book. The kits include multiple copies of the book and a discussion guide.
To find out more visit https://www.slcl.org/book-discussion-kits
Summer Reading Programs:
Most of our libraries sponsor summer reading programs that offer incentives for reading during the summer. Typically, the information comes out April or May.
St. Louis County Library https://www.slcl.org/
St. Louis Public Library https://www.slpl.org/
Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County https://www.mlc-stl.org/
Reading Bingo:
Play Reading Bingo throughout the week. Print and use this Bingo Card or create your own.
Additional Resources:
Looking for even more reading resources? Check out this great article by TitleMax - Ultimate Guide to Free Reading and Literary Resources. It covers more reading games, writing tips, information for teen and tween readers, and much more.
Active Reading Games:
Spelling Workout - (5 -15 minutes) Perform movements to spell. Here is the chart for each Letter.
Sight Word Hopscotch - (10-30 minutes) Create a hopscotch pattern and it each box write one sight word. Here is a list the 100 most common words. On rainy days, use masking tape to create the hopscotch pattern and write words on a piece of tape as well.
Whole Body Spelling - (5-30 minutes) Like spelling “YMCA” with your arms from the famous song. Kids create letter shapes using their bodies. Groups can spell whole words.
Reading Walk - (20-45 minutes) This is a walk where each stop along the way is a page in a book to read. When all the stops have been visited the book is complete. Directions here.
Inexpensive Books:
Greater St. Louis Book Fair has a non-profit day - you must pre-register to attend that day where all remaining books are free to nonprofits.
St. Louis Public Library has Educator Accounts - includes staff for Summer Camp and Y Club
Free Printable Reading Games:
Free, printable games are a great way to enforce skills in reading. Buy some sandwich sized and gallon sized baggies to store the games and any incidental supplies needed (dice, paper clip, pen) There are many free ones online. Here are some of my favorites:
The Florida Center for Reading Research - I'd be rich if I was paid to promote them. :-)
This Reading Mama, register for access to free printable reading games. For younger elementary.
The Measured Mom has free printable games also. For younger elementary.
Book Clubs:
Book Discussion Kits are designed for groups to read and discuss the same book. The kits include multiple copies of the book and a discussion guide.
To find out more visit https://www.slcl.org/book-discussion-kits
Reading Bingo:
Play Reading Bingo throughout the week. Print and use this Bingo Card or create your own.
5 Finger Rule: How to choose a just right book:
Choose a book that interests you
Open to a random page
Read the page using the following formula
0-1 errors = too easy, consider another book
2-3 errors = just right to read on your own
4-5 errors = too hard, consider another book or read with a buddy
Try one more page to be sure
Additional Resources:
Looking for even more reading resources? Check out this great article by TitleMax - Ultimate Guide to Free Reading and Literary Resources. It covers more reading games, writing tips, information for teen and tween readers, and much more.
Contact/Learn More
Michelle Peeler, Literacy Program Director
📧 michelle.peeler@gwrymca.org
Real Results. Real Impact.
Last year, our program saw...
students enrolled in Y Read
hours of reading instruction across our program
volunteers impacted the lives of our participants
grade levels growth average per year for youth in the program
Get Your Questions Answered!
Potential students will meet with one of our staff members as part of the registration process. This appointment usually lasts about 1 hour and will include a discussion on the student's goals, availability, and a reading assessment.
To schedule an appointment, contact Michelle Peeler at michelle.peeler@gwrymca.org.
Sessions are virtual through Zoom or at a local public library in the St. Louis Metro area.
Our youth students meet with their tutors 1 hour a week for a year. The tutor and student cover the essential components of literacy: phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. All materials, training, and support are provided by the Y.
No, this is a free program.
No, this program is a free program we offer to our community, regardless of YMCA membership.
Tutoring is available for 1st grade, second semester and beyond.
- 16 years or older
- Know how to read
- Be patient
- Be able to commit for 1 hour a week for a year
- Have transportation if tutoring at a library and if tutoring virtually, have a computer and internet connection.