One Good Turn

For every child learning to read, there's a magic moment when the funny squiggles on a page suddenly lead to a new world. The Early Literacy & Learning Model (ELLM) uses the latest in scientific research to spark that magic. Though educators sometimes argue about the virtues of phonics (sounding out words) versus "whole word" comprehension, ELLM draws on techniques from each approach and also gives volunteers, who work one-on-one with children, specific ways to evaluate what's working.

Last year more than 60 volunteers, many from Naples' Christ Child Society, worked in 26 classrooms. This year volunteer coordinator Mary Polizzotto, herself a volunteer, hopes to fill at least 35 classrooms.

Naples' Fun Time Early Childhood Academy CEO Kim Long first brought ELLM here in 2003. Recently the academy, which serves at-risk students, won a grant from the Governor's Family Literacy Initiative because of the success of ELLM and other programs. "It's the results that matter," says Long.

Run out of Florida Gulf Coast University, ELLM is available at 50 Head Start programs in Collier County thanks, in large part, to $1.5 million in grants from the Naples Children and Education Foundation.

To volunteer, call Polizzotto at (239) 596-7429. For more information about ELLM, call (239) 377-0578.

-Tracy Jones