(serving the four-state's literacy needs for over twentyfive years)
We are a member of ProLiteracy Worldwide, the world's oldest and largest literacy organization. Whether you are visiting our site to find out how you can advance the cause of literacy or to look for solutions to reading problems, we trust you will find what you need. Please contact us for further information at 417-782-2646. When Frank Laubach, the founder of Laubach Literacy Action, began his missionary work among the Muslims in the southern Philippines in the 1920's, very few could read the Arabic script in which their language was written. Laubach devised a Roman alphabet for the Maranao language and taught them to read with the visually reinforced Laubach method. In 1932 money from the U.S. was no longer available to pay the educated Maranao teachers who were assisting him. Laubach went to the datu (chief) and explained the problem. The datu thought a moment and said, "Why, we'll just have everyone who knows how to read teach someone else." He paused and made a sweeping motion with his curved scimtar blade. "If anyone refuses, I'll cut off his head." Fortunately, such methods of persuasion are not necessary today to recruit tutors, but we do use the method the datu suggested: each one who know how to read teaches someone else to read. In this way, the "Each One Teach One" motto was born.		The Problem Joplin NALA Read recognizes that 1 in 5 adults in the Joplin area cannot fill out a job application, cannot pass the driver's license test, cannot follow the directions for their medicine, cannot help their children with homework, cannot read their Bible, their mail, or food labels, cannot read warnings and road signs. The Solution Is to offer adults the opportunity to learn necessary reading and writing skills through its "Each One Teach One" volunteer tutoring program. Joplin NALA Read will assist any business or organization in developing new literacy services for the community and offer Family literacy programs to encourage parents to read to their children.

SPELL BALL

Spring Training is just around the corner, and you know what that means.  Spell Ball is coming up, and you’ll want to get your team reservations in immediately.  Spell Ball will be at Martin Luther School, 26^th & Connecticut, Tuesday, March 23, 2010.  The teams and officials sign in at 5:30, and opening ceremonies begin at 6:00.  Silent auction items will be on display and concessions will be available.

You may wonder what a Spell Ball Tournament is.  Each team may have three members, and the competition is to play baseball with words instead of baseballs.  Team members can consult each other about words, and even use a “ Ball Pass” (for a price) if they don’t want to spell a word.  Complete rules will be sent to registered teams.  The sooner you register, the sooner you’ll get your list of words to prepare for the big game.  Although I have to tell you a little secret:  if you’re a good speller, you will do well without cramming.  And you only need one really good speller on a team.  Prizes will be given:  “Most Spirit,”  “Best Sportsmanship,” and the “Championship,” of course.

Why do we have a Spell Ball Tournament?  Joplin NALA Read is fortunate to have the support of many local individuals and organizations, including our major funder, United Way.  Our outreach, however, exceeds our resources, and to match our needs, we feature a Spell Ball Tournament each year to raise the remaining funds for our program.  Tutoring adults who need to learn to read, teaching English to people from other countries (ESL) and modeling reading to children at Lafayette House – all require more funds than we have from our usual sources.

George called the other day.  “I have to pass a test over a manual in order to keep my job.  Can you help me?”  Bill is eager to return to work with his tutor after the holiday break, for he is finally understanding what he reads.  Janet asks for a math tutor.  Sung is so shy she will hardly face us, but she goes to English class and comes out smiling.  Thapron wants a tutor to prepare for her citizenship interview.

One by one they come, and one by one we help, whether with pair tutoring or class teaching.  There is no charge to our students or tutors, but there is a cost.  We look to Spell Ball to bridge the gap between income and expenses.  You can participate in any one of several ways:

            1. Enter a team of three players for $150

            2. Sponsor a team for $150 or help underwrite the costs of the event

            3. Contribute items for a silent auction

            4. Volunteer to help during Spell Ball

            5. Cheer the teams on at the Spell Ball

Whatever you decide, we will be glad to accept your contribution and list you or your company in the program for the evening. Please respond on the enclosed card, call Joplin NALA Read at 782-2646, or email us at joplinnala@123mail.org.  Join us for the 2010 Spell Ball Games.

Marj Boudreaux, Director Joplin NALA Read