No Bunny Left Behind Community Literacy Project: Humane Education Through Art, Reading, and Play

Rosemary Wells, author of the popular Max and Ruby bunny books, proclaimed “read to your bunny every day and your bunny will read to you.”Never ignoring a dare, RabbitEARS took the challenge seriously and created No Bunny Left Behind, a unique community-based literacy program aligned with academic content and performance standards* that helps children explore the bond between animals and humans through stories, discussion, art and play. (*NOTE: with all due respect to overachievers, no bunnies were given standardized tests or otherwise annoyed in the creation of this project!)

Parents, older siblings, teachers, librarians, community and student leaders are encouraged to read to younger children every day for twenty minutes to impart simple, everyday ways to treat animals with kindness while fostering literacy skills and cooperation through creative playtime.

Participants in this class will learn the basics of a varied 20 to 30-minute presentation and receive a NBLB volunteer educator certificate, a training manual, a recommended reading list, a signed NBLB poster, and a copy of Rosemary Wells book, Read to Your Bunny. As a certified NBLB educator, participants will be encouraged to visit elementary school classrooms, after-school programs, churches, animal shelters and other venues to read to children and lead discussions — helping children develop critical thinking skillsand empathy. No Bunny Left Behind posters are available should volunteers want to hang them at local shelters, schools and churches.

Presenters:

Judy Hardin, founder of RabbitEARS Adoption Store in El Cerrito, an HRS member and humane educator (not yet but I will sign up immediately!!!), and guardian to six house bunnies.

Elianna Senturia, a long-time volunteer at RabbitEARS, an eighth-grader at Albany Middle School, a lover of all creatures and a certified No Bunny Left Behind volunteer educator.

Class Date: Saturday, Oct 6 2012
Time: 10am – 5pm, includes vegan lunch and snack
Fee: $55

Refresher Courses: free