Step 2: Start up

After each high school athletic season ends, participating coaches and players visit their feeder elementary schools to read a sports related picture books. The books usually relate to the players’ sport and often have a theme celebrating diversity. If you need picture books ask the elementary school or borrow from your local bookstore. Give players the opportunity to pick out the book and to practice reading it.

Here is a sample timeline:

• End of sport season example: Football season ends by the end of November
• Librarian arranges convenient date for the school visit with the site principal and the coach.
• Coach contacts parents for permission for player to visit the elementary school
• Athletes pick out a book or 2 and practice reading it.
• Coach goes over his introductory speech and program goals.
• Coach and players visit classroom(s).