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
- The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
- Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
- BIG by Coleen Paratore
- When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
- Ruby Bridges Goes to School—My True Story by Ruby Bridges (K-2nd) and
Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges (3rd grade on up)- How Do I Stand in Your Shoes? By Susan DeBell, Ph.D.
- The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
- 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