But I didn't want the kindergarten kids not to hear it because I know they are going to love it. You did the right thing, Levine assured her, heartened by the little girl's passion for reading, an integral component of the program. They talk about what works and what doesn't, and study everything from starting book clubs to building classroom librares. The project is already in place in 130 city elementary schools, including 10 in District 26. Several others are pushing for the program, which is paid for with the help of state and federal grants and staff development money.
Teachers are hungry for it as well.
Despite its popularity, the project hasn't always encountered smooth sailing at PS 188. At first, some teachers resisted, defending their own methods. Parents were a bit baffled by the new terminology, both Freed and Berg recall. Many thought their children should be reading well beyond their comprehension level, believing the challenge would make them smarter. Parents at first didn't really know about this new language their kids were talking, recalls Jeri Kelly, whose older son graduated from PS 188 and whose daughter Madison and son Brian still attend.