Early Literacy Curriculum & Standards

A Literacy-First Approach to Early Reading Success

SitStayRead delivers structured, bilingual (English and Spanish) early literacy curriculum to K-2 students in Chicago’s highest-need communities. Our programs combine the Science of Reading, intentional social emotional learning strategies, and the presence of Certified Reading Assistance Dogs to build both skill and confidence.

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Three children and two adults sit on the floor around a therapy dog in a classroom. The dog is on a blanket wearing a blue bandana. Classroom desks and a whiteboard are in the background.

Why Early Literacy Intervention Matters

In many of the Chicago neighborhoods we serve, students are scoring below the national reading average, and chronic absenteeism is on the rise.

We know that these trends are not a reflection of children’s potential. They reflect systemic gaps in access, support, and opportunity.

Structured early literacy curriculum works. When students feel seen and supported, literacy skills grow. Attendance improves. Confidence increases. Classrooms shift.

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Our Five Core Literacy Strategies

Each SitStayRead program runs for six consecutive weeks, meeting one hour per week in a classroom setting. Each visit contains five essential learning components.

Illustration of an adult and a child smiling while reading an open book together.

1. Read-Aloud

Program staff read out loud to the students and asked guided questions about emotions, behaviors, and strategies for addressing conflict.

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2. Discussion

After reading, students reflect together. They identify key story elements, sequence events, and unpack language, strengthening reading comprehension.

Red heart icon with a white paw print in the center, symbolizing love for animals or pets, on a light gray circular background.

3. Writing

Students turn discussion into creation by writing their own stories, poems, or personal narratives.

Two illustrated portrait photos, one of a woman with short brown hair on a red background, and one of a person with brown hair on a blue background, overlapping slightly.

4. Social- Emotional Learning

Books and discussions are intentionally chosen and led to reflect diverse identities, perspectives, genres, and voices.

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5. The Dog-Human Bond

Certified Reading Assistance Dogs create a calm, motivating environment where students feel safe practicing reading aloud.

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Third Party Evaluation

Increasing Oral Reading Fluency by 47%

In 2017, SitStayRead partnered with the School of Education and the Center of School Intervention, Evaluation, and Training at Loyola University to conduct an evaluation of our curriculum.

  • First-grade participants outperformed non-participant peers in reading and writing
  • 47.8% greater growth in oral reading fluency when compared to the average student
  • Self-reported increase in confidence when reading aloud

We are currently in the process of partnering to conduct an updated evaluation of our curriculum for the 2025-26 school year.

Get Involved with SitStayRead

Help advance children’s literacy by donating or volunteering with SitStayRead.

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Grounded in the Science of Reading

Our early literacy curriculum is rooted in the Science of Reading, a body of interdisciplinary research that explains how children learn to read effectively.

  • Phonemic Awareness: Recognizing and manipulating sounds
  • Phonics: Connecting sounds to letters
  • Fluency: Reading accurately and smoothly
  • Vocabulary: Understanding what words mean and how to use them correctly
  • Comprehension: Understanding what you are reading

As research evolves, so does our curriculum. We continuously refine our approach to reflect best practices in early literacy development.

Two young girls sit on the floor with a book, petting a brown dog lying on a colorful blanket beside an adult holding the dog's leash.
An adult reads to two children seated on a colorful classroom rug while a large dog lies between them, and the children pet the dog.

The Dog-Human Bond

Certified Reading Assistance Dogs help create calm, welcoming classroom environments. Their presence lowers stress, reduces fear of mistakes, and encourages reluctant readers to engage.

Research shows that interacting with dogs can reduce stress indicators such as cortisol levels and support emotional regulation. In our classrooms, this translates into:

  • Increased focus
  • Greater willingness to read aloud
  • Positive associations with books
  • Improved classroom climate
  • Increased attendance

We’re Committed to Ongoing Program Assessments & Improvements

SitStayRead uses qualitative (teacher, student, and volunteer surveys) and quantitative (DIBELS, AIMSweb, and school/neighborhood demographics) data to analyze our programs.

Following each six-week program, partner teachers complete an evaluation to provide feedback on students’ literacy and social-emotional learning progress during and outside of our visits in the classroom.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Due to SitStayRead’s limited capacity, we only partner with schools and organizations in the city of Chicago, largely on the south and west sides. Our 2025-26 school year is fully booked. To be considered for a future school year, contact our team.

Please see the Chicago Public Library event page for free, bilingual family literacy events, or check out our event calendar for upcoming public events.

SitStayRead provides Chicago early literacy programs in neighborhoods where 90% of the student population is from low-income households and 60% of third graders score below the national reading average. There is currently a waitlist for our literacy programs, however we partner with Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Public Library branches, and community organizations to reach more students both in school and through family literacy events.

There are many ways to support our mission.

Volunteering: Through our Dog Teams and Book Buddies, volunteers can join SitStayRead in 6-8 week classroom residencies, as well as one-time visits and public events. Volunteers do not need a dog to participate!

Donating: There are many ways to raise and many ways to donate.

You can give as a one-time or recurring donor, donate through a donor-advised fund, make a tribute gift, sponsor an event, or host a book drive. We also welcome corporate partnerships and matching gifts. Every contribution supports literacy programming for Chicago children.

Support Early Literacy Programs

Help Us Support Chicago’s Youngest Readers

Your time, generosity, and partnership helps children build the skills and confidence they need to thrive in school and beyond.

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