Rhonda Begley at Discovery Elementary received $1,093.59 for her project, “Let’s Get Our Reading Game On!”

Rhonda plans to purchase a variety of reading comprehension games that will help 150 fifth graders explore themes of cause-and-effect, vocabulary, fact and opinion, context clues, parts of speech, figurative language, and text structure. In the application, she wrote, “This project will be an innovative, hands-on approach to reading intervention and enrichment. Students love to play games, but they do not always love to read, especially when they struggle. Students who are at grade-level or above grade-level also love to play games, but they want to be challenged. My project will provide reading comprehension games and resources for both things to happen for all types of readers before they enter sixth grade. Many board games involve storytelling elements or require players to interpret written instructions and make strategic decisions. This process enhances comprehension skills and encourages critical thinking and problem solving. Board games provide an interactive and engaging way to experience reading.”