What Behind the Book offers schools and students
BtB is a literacy organization serving Pre-K – 12th grade students in Title l NYC public schools.
During School Hours
Programs take place during the school day in classrooms in Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx and are 9 workshops, each 60-90 minutes long.
Immersive Experience
We create curriculum units based on a book that include working with the author, relevant field trips, and writing, art, and drama workshops.
Engaging Activities
Every workshop is designed to fully engage students in the experience of the book.
Student Autonomy/Voice and Choice
We provide students with a pre-intake survey in which students identify which themes/ topics most interest them. We then conduct a whole class intake, herein we present students with a curated list of books based on their interests, students then select the book they will read as a class collectively.
Collaboration with Teachers
We work closely with teachers to select authors whose books resonate with students, reflect classroom diversity, and meet curriculum needs.
Our Program Model
We start with a book…
Students meet the Curriculum Developer and Program Facilitator to vote on the book they collectively explore. Students then discuss classroom guidelines, make community agreements with one another, and build rapport with the program facilitator utilizing various community buildings
Class Intake
Behind the Book introduces the program and facilitates an engaging activity to introduce the theme of the text. Bulletin board and word wall materials are given to the class while books are distributed to each student.
Introductory
Workshop
The author meets with students to answer questions about the book and writing process. A custom activity, led by the author, encourages students to think deeply about how the themes of the book show up in their own lives and to prepare for the writing workshop.
Author Workshops
BtB supports students in editing and improving their first drafts. Sometimes, volunteers join students in a collaborative process to bring students' writing to the next level while providing guidance and positive reinforcement.
Writing Workshop
A BtB teaching artist leads students in an art project that strengthens their understanding of the book and enhances the writing process. Integrating visual art provides multidisciplinary connections to the text.
Art and Drama Workshop
BtB connects literature to the real world through field trips and field experts. Both can offer new experiences, perspectives, and career opportunities for students. Our field trips bring students to the African Burial Ground, NatGeo Odyssey, (pictured here), the Caribbean Cultural Center, the NY Hall of Science Design Labs, the United Nations, and more. Behind the Book brings special speakers to the classroom from organizations like the Lenape Center, The Innocence Project, and The Bronx Defenders. We also have spoken work artists, drummers, dancers or similar performing artists conduct special workshops for our students.
Field Trips and
Special Speakers
Behind the Book celebrates student accomplishments at the end of every program by showcasing their work. Students especially respond to our anthologies - a professionally designed and printed book of the class' written work and illustration.
