Elementary school teacher receives grant to encourage students to read

FRESNO, Calif. -- Some elementary school students in the South Valley have a new reason to enjoy reading.

Teacher Rachael Ray from Oak Grove School received a $421 grant for her "independent reading project".

The money came from the "Ruiz for Kids Mini Grants" and helped purchase more than 70 books that are now part of the classroom library.

In the beginning of the school year, I was doing a lot of the goal-setting for them. But as we moved through the school year they are doing more and more of the goal-setting on their own," said Ray.

The project is designed to encourage students to read on their own but check in with the teacher to discuss goals and any struggles they may have.

The idea is to also have the students rely on the opinion of their peers for recommendations on additional books to read. Students receive incentives when they achieve their reading goal.