Who:
Kindergartners Count, Inc., a U.S. 501(c)(3) international not-for-profit organization, is dedicated to children's self-concept development through literacy. Kindergartners Count, Inc. offers the research-based 12-week I Like Me! reading enhancement/self-concept development/character education program. Working with other partners and organizations, Kindergartners Count, Inc. works to make the program available to children around the world.
What:
The I Like Me! program is a research-based, personalized program for children preschool through grade two and was developed to:
- Instill a love of reading.
- Foster positive self-concept.
- Create positive associations toward school and learning.
- Help build character.
- Encourage positive and acceptable behavior mannerisms.
- Promote interaction among children, parents, educators, businesses and other positive facets of the community.
Often referred to as a "good citizenship" program, I Like Me! communicates anti-drug and anti-gang messages, and illustrates gender sensitivity, cultural diversity and the inclusion of people with disabilities. Studies show the 12-week I Like Me! program contributes significantly to the overall growth in positive self-concept in children, in addition to improving reading comprehension and recall through the use of the personalized book. Since 1993, over a half million children around the world have participated in I Like Me!
Materials:
There are two levels of materials: I Like Me! for kindergarten through grade two, and I Like Me! Preschool for younger children. Each child receives a hard-bound personalized book to keep – making each child a hero in his or her own life. Each child’s book is printed separately and contains over 60 personalizations: the child’s name, the names of 2 friends chosen by the child, plus the names of the teacher, principal, school, hometown and state/province. Names of funding sponsor(s) and volunteer organization(s) are also printed in each book. Each I Like Me! book is printed on high-quality paper. The books are hard-bound to last for years and years – a treasured school momento to be read and cherished by children and parents. The Teacher’s/Leader's Guide contains 12-week of daily lesson plans, including "Word for the Week" exercises, classroom
activities, discussion topics, the special I Like Me! cheer and parent involvement activities. The lessons in the Teacher’s/Leader's Guide are easily incorporated into the existing curriculum, allowing teachers the flexibility to use all or part of the guide. The personalized I Like Me! child’s book is available in American English, Canadian English and Spanish. The personalized I Like Me! Preschool child's book is available in English.
Why:
Seventy-five percent of 4th graders cannot meet expected reading standards.
Good reading habits must be instilled in our children as early as possible.
Learning during the critical early learning years impacts the child’s entire lifetime.
Low self-concept in children tends to hinder reading development.
Children who encounter reading difficulties tend to experience self-concept decline.
Advisory Board:
Susan Gorin, Executive Director, National Association of School Psychologists
Frederick N. Brown, Assoc. Exec. Dir., National Assn. of Elementary School Principals
Sarah M. Greene, Chief Executive Officer, National Head Start Association
Dr. Paul Houston, Executive Director, American Association of School Administrators
Gary Marx, President, Center for Public Outreach
Mark Ginsberg, Executive Director,
National Association for the Education of Young Children
R. Adam Engle, Chairman and Co-Founder,
Mind and Life Institute
Investment:
$15.00 per child’s personalized hard-bound book and $15.00 per 12-week teacher’s guide. (Price includes shipping within continental U.S. Allow 5 to 6 weeks for delivery)
Contacts:
Kindergartners Count, Inc.
PO Box 3825, Topeka, KS 66604
ilikemekci@live.com
Phone: 785-224-5740
www.ilikeme.org
MORE FACTS ABOUT THE I LIKE ME! PROGRAM...
"Words for the Week"
12 Units
(Kindergarten through Grade 2)
Uniqueness
Nutrition
Self-Control
Improvement
Learning
Character
Citzenship
Awareness
Creativity
Responsibility
Effort
Acceptance
|
"Words for the Week"
12 Units
(Preschool Version)
Me
Friends
School
Helping
Safety
Joy
Imagination
Kindness
Choices
Respect
Feelings
Sharing
|
Sample Topics for Discussion:
Uniqueness, Individuality, World Cultures, Environment
Conflict Resolution, Appropriate Expression of Feelings
Humor, Cooperation, Belonging, Gangs, Sensitivity
Growth, Development, Health, Pride, Nutrition
Internal & External Strengths, Limits, Drugs, Choices
Names, Goals, Accomplishments, Solutions
Efforts, Learning, Persistence, Rewards
Approval, Togetherness, Learning = Winning
Leaving Home to Go to School, Bus Rules & Safety
Proper Conduct, Listening, Manners, Consideration, Giving
Alone does not equal Lonely, Solitude, Honesty, Practice
Variety, Kindness, Change, Challenges, Inclusion
Opportunity, Rules, Safety, Nurturing, Stereotypes
Talents, Imagination, Creativity, Colors, Shapes
Animals, Thoughtfulness, Organization, Cleanliness
Power Thoughts, Habits, Destiny, Possibilities
Dreams, Acceptance, Importance of Each Day
I LIKE ME! is research-based!
One of the research findings of the 12-week I LIKE ME! Program states: "The use of the personalized I LIKE ME! reader improved reading comprehension and recall in kindergartners by an average of 46.8% over children using non-personalized readers."
This small investment in the life of a child provides an invaluable return - you help a child "learn to read" now, empowering a child to then "read to learn" for a lifetime.
|