“Shadow Project helps me with reading because I get more knowledge in my head.”
–Dreyona, 9

The National Center for Learning Disabilities recently published an article on the six attributes that help students with learning challenges to lead successful lives. These include perseverance, goal-setting and self-awareness — the very attributes The Shadow Project instills through its partnership with special education teachers.

An example is how we’ve helped reluctant readers change their mind about books! To date, kids in our program have earned over 15,000 books! Many children choose to spend their hard-earned “Shadow Bucks” on a book instead of a toy! In fact, so many of our students were bringing home books to read with their families we created “Family Reading Kits” which include a special book, a mug, and packets of cocoa. Each summer we offer summer reading with the help of our partner, Court’s Kids, a wonderful organization that provides gently used books to students in special education.

Here’s what students and teachers are saying about The Shadow Project and reading:

“I’m getting better at reading. To get much better I’m going to read wherever I go.” Erin, 3rd grade

“One boy whose son struggles with reading brought home a copy of Charlotte’s Web. His mother thanked me for helping him select a book and told me, ‘We’ve been reading it together every night as a family. This has been the best experience we’ve had with reading in a really long time.’ The mom was stunned to learn that her son, who had once dreaded reading, spent his hard-earned Shadow Bucks on a book for his family to read together.” — Ann Foulger, special education teacher

“The Shadow Project has helped me by helping me read faster than I could. It helps me read lots of books. I want to be a spy when I grow up.” Elijah, 3rd grade

“The Shadow Project helps me by moving me to read. I hope it will help you too.”
–Breanne, 11