Project Cornerstone & ABC Reader
Baker Elementary School was named Project Cornerstone's
2017 Caring School Climate Award Winner!
Watch what makes Baker special here:

Project Cornerstone’s ABC Reader Program 2020-2021

What is the ABC Reader Program?

 

The Asset Building Champions (ABC) Program (often referred to as "ABC Reader Program") is a program of Project Cornerstone that fosters the development of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in elementary school youth. There are two ABC programs: one for kindergarteners and another for elementary grades.

 

Volunteers read a specially selected children’s book and lead related discussions and activities in classrooms each month. The program’s goal is to help school communities achieve the following:

• Create a common language and vocabulary about respect and behavior expectations.
• Help students develop skills to handle all kinds of bullying and to be UPstanders if they see someone else being bullied.
• The development of Social and Emotional (SEL) skills (e.g. self-management, self-awareness, responsible decision-making, social awareness and relationship skills like inclusion and empathy).
• Increase the number of caring adults on campus so that all students feel that there is at least one adult they can turn to if they have a problem.
• Contribute to a positive school climate where every student feels valued and supported to achieve and thrive.

ABC Reader Program runs at 215 Silicon Valley schools. Baker served as a pilot school for the ABC Reader program and this year marks our 16th year as an ABC Reader school.

 

 

ABC Reader Books for 2020-2021

1. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
2. Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
3. BIG by Coleen Paratore
4. When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
5. Ruby Bridges Goes to School—My True Story by Ruby Bridges (K-2nd) and
   Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges (3rd grade on up)
6. How Do I Stand in Your Shoes? By Susan DeBell, Ph.D.
7. The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
8. Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco OR
   Who Moved My Cheese? For Kids by Spencer Johnson, M.D. & Christian Johnson
   (for fifth/sixth grade students moving to middle school)

 

Is Becoming an ABC Reader Right for You?  

It is, if you...

• Love working with children in a classroom setting.
• Enjoy reading books out loud.
• Are comfortable leading discussions and activities in the classroom.
• Communicate well with children and adults.
• Want to be known to the students as another caring adults in the school setting.

 

What is the Monthly Time Commitment?

• Attend monthly book training - held via Zoom this year (35 minutes)
• Read monthly book and lead discussion, September through May (45 – 60 minutes)
• Personal monthly prep time (20-30 minutes)

 

What do I need to do to become an ABC Reader?

• Contact Baker's ABC Leads - Hoang Vo-Law ([email protected]) or Tanya Gunnion ([email protected]) - to see if there are openings
• Complete a Project Cornerstone volunteer application

Complete online training from Project Cornerstone in the Developmental Assets model for positive youth development