The SEEDS component of ELLM is a collaborative effort among Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Institute of Education (FIE) at the University of North Florida, Fun Time Early Learning Academy, the Christ Child Society and other volunteer organizations.

The Skill-Based Educational Experiences Delivery System (SEEDS) specifically addresses challenges at-risk children encounter in acquiring the necessary skills to become successful readers. SEEDS is an enhancement to ELLM and is being implemented with at-risk children in 25 selected classrooms. It provides individual attention and helps develop the literacy concepts and oral language sills children need to comprehend what they are learning to read. The first two years of this three year pilot project have had approximately 60 SEEDS mentor volunteers, each year exceeding the original goal of 50 volunteers per year.

As a result of implementing this program, approximately 800 children per year were given a firmer foundation in literacy skills, which is the key to all future learning. An additional 800 are targeted for 2006-2007.

The first two years of the SEEDS component was funded by The Stranahan Foundationand the Florida Governor’s Office.

SEEDS Component Goals:

• Increase the numbers of research-based and individualized literacy experiences in which children are engaged.
• Provide opportunities for children to engage in conversations (characterized by adults and children taking multiple turns) with adults who encourage them to explain, describe, and ask questions.
• Provide opportunities to develop the background knowledge, vocabulary and understanding of concepts they will need to construct meaning from printed texts later on.
• Encourage the development of positive and nurturing relationships with adults over a sustained period of time.
• Provide children with models for using complex language by:
• Speaking clearly and using grammatically correct sentences.
• Modeling how to express ideas in complete sentences and helping children to do so.
• Using descriptive language and checking to see that children understand the meaning of words.
• Linking previously learned words to a new activity or book.