Primary VOICE

Primary VOICE is a program that fosters literacy and encourages civic learning among 2nd and 3rd graders in the Chicago Public Schools through the use of children’s literature. Based on a curriculum that combines the development of reading skills and law-related education, Primary VOICE promotes understanding of participation, responsibility, and conflict resolution as well as key Illinois and CPS social science standards, Common Core State Standards for College and Career Readiness, and Illinois Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) standards. Through stories and classroom simulations, students experience familiar problems and see them in a new light. Role plays and reading games provide opportunities for developing different leadership and cooperative learning skills.

Each year CRFC works with a cohort of 10-12 Chicago Public School 2nd and 3rd grade teachers to provide them with 20 hours of professional development during summer and the school year and support their implementation of the curriculum. At meetings, teachers share classroom experiences, discuss reading extensions, and share and assess student work. Each year teachers pilot new lessons created by CRFC and create their own activities using tools provided in the Primary VOICE Literacy Supplement. CRFC assists teachers in holding a culminating literacy event at their school based on State v. Wolf—an interactive jury experience based on “The Three Little Pigs” and developed for Primary VOICE classrooms—led by attorney volunteers.

How to Participate

Teachers participating in the Primary VOICE Cohort receive a host of teaching materials, stipends, and CPDUs. If you are interested in participating or would like more information about Primary VOICE, complete this form and someone will be in touch shortly. 

For more information about Primary VOICE, contact Jessica Chethik.

Primary VOICE is made possible by the generous support of The Polk Bros. Foundation.