Calgary Reads offers the only in-school programs in the Calgary area specific to struggling Grade 1 and 2 readers and their families. Our programs extend beyond the classroom into the community and homes.
Our trained tutors work with struggling Grade 1 and 2 readers during the school day.
- Our core program, Calgary Reads @ School is for students with English as a first language, has 33 sessions, 40 minutes each, delivered at least twice weekly.
- Our English Language Learner program, ESL4ELL is for English language learners who are learning English as a second language, it is a specific framework of 12 sessions, 45 minutes each, delivered once a week. This program is only for Grade 2 children.
Join celebrity Calgarians and share favourite picture books with Grade 1 and 2 students in Calgary Reads schools. Join the celebrations and help us make reading fun! Check our website for dates and locations of these events. Volunteers from the school, parents, our Calgary Reads team and corporate Calgary all pull up a mat, pull out a good book, and get down to story telling in small groups of 1-2 children. These events, when run by Calgary Reads, are sponsored by Calgary corporations, so if your organization supports literacy and is looking for a really interesting and engaging chance to make a difference in one day – let us know! Ask us how your school or company can get involved.
Calgary Reads with Young Friends
Volunteer just once a week to help small groups of kindergarten and Grade 1 children fill in some of their missing early literacy experiences that will help strengthen their foundations for reading and school success. Reading aloud and talking together with these students is hugely enjoyable, and will make a difference. Training is provided. Buddy reading is undertaken by the employees of a corporate donor. Contact us if you would like to learn more about this program and how to connect with a school to participate in this reading program.
If you are an educator, health care provider, reader or life-long learner, we offer literacy workshops and professional learning that you can register for.
Most reading problems are preventable. Informed family members can make all the difference. Invite us to your workplace or organization for an informative hour on how to help young children become successful readers by establishing literacy rich and supportive home environments.
2000 Days – 5000 Words
Children are born with 100 billion brain cells, and 85% of those cells can be developed in the 2000 days before kindergarten. Invite our early literacy envoys to share the magic of READ, SING, PLAY and TALK with your church group, book club or parent play group. Learn about the activities that will lead to maximum literacy development in young children.
CBC-Calgary Reads Annual Book Sale
Take part in one of Calgary’s most popular literacy events. This amazing 3-day sale of over 100, 000 books needs volunteers like you to donate gently-used books, as well as collect, sort and price books. A number of volunteer opportunities, including some for families, are available.
Discover information about being a Volunteer for one of the above Calgary Reads programs.
