Special Elementary Math & Literacy Programs

CSV runs two one-to-one tutoring programs for young students in grades K-3 who are at risk in math and literacy. The Elementary Literacy Program, formerly known as the Intergenerational Literacy Program (ILP), provides volunteers who support students in grades K-3 in developing their reading and writing skills. The Intergenerational Math Program, created in 1999 at the request of the Cambridge Public School math department, provides very early intervention to help students in math.

"So you're the famous volunteer. . . you're the main topic of conversation in our house. My son talks about you all the time. He loves coming." Parent comment about literacy tutor

>FAQ's about the Elementary Literacy Program (ELP)

>FAQ's about the Intergenerational Math Program (IMP)

What do Elementary Literacy Volunteers do?

Volunteers who provide Reading Support work one-to-one or with small groups of students who have been identified by their teachers as having literacy skills below grade level.  Volunteers guide children as they read aloud, encouraging them to make predictions about the content using prior knowledge and text features, helping them to restate the main ideas of the story and to identify characters.

Volunteers who provide Writing Support assist during the Writing Workshop component of the literacy curriculum.  Volunteers assist with Conferencing, helping students develop and edit their original stories.  Teachers and volunteers work together to help students prepare their stories for publication (see Publishing Center Program).

Volunteers receive initial and ongoing training and have the opportunity to meet monthly as a group.

Who volunteers?
The volunteers are men and women who care about children and are eager to support and encourage them in developing their reading and writing skills.  Volunteers do not need to have prior teaching experience or computer skills.

Where does the tutoring happen?
Sessions are held at various elementary schools throughout Cambridge.

When does the tutoring happen?
Most volunteers work with students during the school day.  Occasionally, one-to-one sessions may take place before or after school.

How is it coordinated?
Kasey Appleman, Director of Elementary Volunteers, oversees all placements K-8.

What is the training?
Before being matched with a child or classroom, each new volunteer is required to attend a training/orientation session that covers "Getting Started."  Monthly meetings led by the elementary literacy trainer offer ongoing support and training.

How do I get started?
Contact CSV to sign up for an orientation.

What do Intergenerational Math volunteers do?

* Meets one-to-one with the same child twice a week for 45 minutes or in the math class for 90 minutes once per week with a small group of children.

* Supports the skills that are being taught in class, using hands-on material, worksheets, games, and books.

* Confers on a continuing basis with the child's teacher.

* Participates in initial and on-going training sessions.

Who volunteers?
Adults of all ages: mothers, fathers, grandparents, working people, and college students who:

* Believe that math is important for success in school and understand the value it has in everyday life.

* Care about children and enjoy helping them.

* Want to learn how to teach math to young children.

Volunteers do not need to have prior teaching experience or computer skills.

Where does the tutoring happen?
All tutoring sessions are held in the child's classroom, in the library or another quiet room.

When does the tutoring happen?
Tutoring sessions take place during the school day (between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.), from October through May. Tutors need to make a commitment for the entire school year, but short vacations can be easily accommodated.

How is it coordinated?
Rose Madsen, the Director of IMP, coordinates the program by introducing the volunteers to the schools, training the tutors, scheduling tutoring sessions, and supplying tutoring materials. Ms. Madsen is an experienced elementary school teacher with a love of math and teaching.

What schools have IMP tutors?
Currently, IMP tutors work at six elementary schools.

What is the training?
Before being matched with a student, each new volunteer is required to attend one 2-hour training session that covers what the students are learning in the curriculum and how it is currently being taught.  On-going trainings offer opportunities for support and sharing.

Who are the students?
The students who receive tutoring are identified by the teachers as falling below their potential in emergent math skills. They are not special needs students and do not qualify for any special school services. Rather, they are students in grade 2 who need individual support and focus to keep them from falling through the cracks.

How do I get started?
Contact Rose Madsen at 617-349-6794 or rmadsen@cpsd.us.