Frequently Asked Questions

What is In2Books?

How does in2Books increase reading, writing and thinking skills?

How is In2Books different from other literacy programs?

Who are our pen pals?

How many children does In2Books reach?

How does In2Books use technology?

How does In2Books measure progress?

How does In2Books engage the community?

What does the future hold?

Does this mean that you no longer will be using printed books?

Whom can I contact for more information?

What is In2Books?
As a proven, web-based literacy program, In2Books cultivates reading, writing, and critical thinking skills of elementary school students by facilitating discussion about books and providing them with tools essential for their education. To develop these skills, we give the students meaningful books to keep and an adult pen pal to correspond with about the books. In2Books enriches this learning experience by involving key people in students' lives— family members, teachers, and pen pals.

How does In2Books increase reading, writing and thinking skills?
In2Books programs provide students in grades 3-5 with intriguing, authentic literacy opportunities that connect children to the world outside their classrooms. Each year, we:

• Provide students with carefully selected books to keep.
  
  
• Recruit and coach adult pen pals to write thought-provoking, encouraging letters to students about the books.
  
  
• Help teachers incorporate exemplary practices in literacy instruction by providing research-based book guides and other support necessary to create a literacy-rich environment.
  
  
• Conduct scientifically-based assessments to help make the programs more effective year to year.
  
  
• Involve families in their child's learning through related take-home materials.
  
  
• Use technology to make the In2Books experience efficient, informative, and scalable.

How is In2Books different from other literacy programs?
Unlike other literacy programs, In2Books provides books, intellectual mentors, and literacy training to an entire community of learners. Students, teachers, peers, family members, and adult literacy coaches are all engaged in reading, thinking and writing about the same intriguing books. Soon a learning community evolves, and this continuous support network encourages members to share resources and educate each other. It also develops personal relationships that challenge students intellectually, increase their personal and professional aspirations, and reinforce home and classroom learning experiences.

Who are our pen pals?
Our pen pals are adult volunteers who open their hearts and minds to young people who really need them. They are a carefully screened, diverse group of professionals from local corporations, government agencies, colleges and universities, and professional organizations. Click Here for more information on becoming a pen pal.

On their own schedule, In2Books pen pals serve as literacy coaches, role models and catalysts for deeper thinking through email letters with children. They build relationships with students that provide the guidance and motivation every child needs to succeed. In return for their commitment, pen pals receive:

• Opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of elementary school children.
  
  
• A birds-eye view into the life of elementary-age children, helping them to be a better parents, family members and friends.
  
  
• Access to Pen Pal Place—the In2Books web site that provides letter-writing guidance, tips for getting creative, and lots of insight into the minds of young students.
  
  
• Interesting, diverse books to keep, which many pen pals report reading to their own children.

How many children does In2Books reach?
Since its launch in 1997, the program's reach and popularity have grown exponentially. In2Books has reached over 16,000 students and has also involved more than 1,000 teachers and 7,000 pen pals.

How does In2Books use technology?
Information technology is one of the keys to the success and growth of In2Books. We use it to manage the letter exchange process via email, communicate with members of our learning community, and evaluate the impact of the program—and moving forward—for teacher training and corporate partner outreach. We designed all of our systems to maximize efficiency and be fully scalable. Our cornerstone technologies include:

Pen Pal Place® —a secure, interactive web site designed to connect our adult literacy coaches to student letters, literacy training, and creativity-inspiring tips and tools.

Teacher Place® —a similar site for teachers designed to facilitate implementation, support participation in professional development, and supplement the classroom materials and resources they receive.

Student Place®—where students create, send, and receive their pen pal letters. A helpful resource with letter-writing tips, sample letters, and tools to get creative, such as clip art. The underlying database architecture for In2Books allows us to:

• Get the right books to the right students and pen pals in a timely, efficient manner.
  
  
• Capture and digitally store all the letters exchanged between pen pals and students while preserving privacy.
  
  
• Maintain a robust database of assessment measures on program participants for use in instruction and program evaluation.

How does In2Books measure progress?
We continually seek feedback from our learning community members and ensure that the program reflects findings of scientifically based research on literacy instruction. Students’ letters are scored based on the In2Books rubric designed by a team of national experts. Data we collect informs program evolution and development. Teachers and students also use rubrics in the classroom, enabling them to share common expectations about good analytic thinking and writing.

How does In2Books engage the community?
We look to members of the community to serve as stewards and partners in the In2Books Learning Community. In particular, we involve individuals and organizations that are committed to improving the education of our children, such as:

• Civic leaders who help establish alliances and build connections.
  
  
• Foundations and community-based organizations, both child- and education-focused, that provide funding and infrastructure support.
  
  
• Corporations that are community leaders, committed to employee volunteerism, and ready to be private sector leaders in literacy and community development.
  
  
• Other individuals willing to make a real difference through direct contribution of major gifts, their expertise, and in-kind donations.
  

What does the future hold?
In2Books is fully digital to allow for national expansion in a cost-effective manner. This digital approach seamlessly integrates digital literacy with traditional literacy, giving students instruction and practice in developing the skills they need to maximize their potential and compete in the workforce of tomorrow. We see four major benefits to an all-digital program: a stronger curriculum, increased participation, lower cost and greater convenience.

Does a digital program mean that you will be phasing out printed books?
No. We believe it is important for students to own books, so we will continue to distribute books in the same manner as before.