Literacy and Violence Prevention

Hawai‘i Friends has developed an engaging and inexpensive reading program for at-risk secondary students. The teenage students elect to participate in the voluntary program offered through their public schools. The youth agree to practice reading a variety of picture books, each dealing with different conflicts and to learn facilitation skills. After practicing dramatic reading the teens go to elementary schools in their neighborhoods, and read to classes of youngsters. After reading the picture books to the classes, the teenagers facilitate discussions with the youngsters about the book themes.

Please refer to the following two articles about this program for more information. A curriculum is available for providing the program. Please contact Lorenn Walker: email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone: (808) 637-2385.

Literacy and Violence Prevention Articles:

Reading Stories to Change the World, Principal Leadership, October 2005 pp. 42- 47.

Violence Prevention Through Cooperative Education, Reclaiming Children and Youth, 15:1, Spring 2006, pp. 32-36.