The Children’s Defense Fund believes that reading is the key that can unlock the door to children’s dreams and unlimited potential. The CDF Freedom Schools curriculum committee has carefully chosen the books listed in the Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC). They represent the best work of the country’s finest writers and illustrators, and children across the nation deserve to have access to them. With the help of well-prepared and caring adults, these books have the power to help scholars better understand themselves and the world and to instill in them a lifelong love of reading.

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The books:

• Are developmentally appropriate
• L​end themselves to a range of interesting creative activities
• Represent a spectrum of cultural experiences and characters
• Reflect the scholars’ own images
• Relate their authentic history, culture, and heritage through the eyes of children
• Introduce scholars to adults and children who make a difference in the lives of others
• Offer scholars encouragement to become involved in community service, no matter what their own circumstances
• Help scholars explore fundamental issues related to self-esteem
• Expand scholars’ capacity to dream and to believe they can make their dreams reality

Our Daily Schedule

8:00 a.m.  |  Breakfast (provided at no charge)
8:30 a.m.  |  Harambee!
9:00 a.m.  |  Integrated Reading Curriculum
11:45 a.m.  |  Drop Everything and Read
12:00 p.m.  |  Lunch (provided at no charge)
12:30 p.m.  |  Play 15! 
12:45 p.m.  |  Afternoon Activities
3:00 p.m.  |  Wrap-up and dismissal