SIUC America Reads Challenge

I would like to extend my appreciation to Clinical Center Director Judith Seiters who allowed the use of Clinical Center equipment in the production of this manual. She also allowed me released time in order to create the manual.

Financial Aid Director Pam Britton offered encouragement and enthusiastic support throughout the creation of the book.

Graduate assistant Tina Carpenter carefully edited the manuscript and produced all of the graphics in the book.

Several individuals were consulted about contents and graciously offered suggestions: Abby Arthur, grant writer for Indiana Planned Parenthood; Bob Arthur, Associate Dean SIUC College of Agriculture; Marlene Cuvo, teacher in District #95; Nancy Jackson, retired reading specialist; Jan Thomas, reading specialist in Clark County, Nevada schools; and Jeff Whittingham, teacher in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

I especially want to thank Vivian Snyder and fax machines. Vivian guided the work from Stockton, California, spending countless hours to edit the work during a very busy time in her school year at University of the Pacific.

THE LEGEND OF THE STAR THROWER

Scientist and author Loren Eiseley tells a story about coming upon a youth on the beach at Costabel, where the tide had washed in thousands of starfish. The youth was picking up starfish one at a time and throwing them back into the sea.

Eiseley told the youth that he was wasting his time because there were so many dying starfish that the youth's actions could not possibly make a difference.

The youth stooped, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the sea. "I made a difference for that one," he said.

Eiseley went back to his hotel room and thought about the youth's example. Later, he returned to the beach, where the youth was still throwing starfish back into the sea.

Bending down to pick up a starfish, Eiseley said to the youth, "I understand. Call me another thrower."

Tutoring children who need help with reading, like throwing starfish back into the sea, is about making a difference--one student at a time.

NOTE

Because disabled readers are predominately boys, the male pronoun is used to refer to students in this training manual. The majority of the tutors are female, so female pronouns are used throughout this manual when referring to the tutors. No gender bias is intended. The pronoun choices were made to enhance ease of reading.