At WITS, we believe in the power of stories to shape how young people view themselves and the world around them. For young girls passionate about athletics, accurate and consistent … Read More
10 Books About Cooking & Food
You probably know and love Strega Nona and her bubbling pasta pot. You might remember the pea soup fog rolling in when someone read you Cloudy With a Chance of … Read More
4 Picture Books That Promote Student Confidence
Starting a new year of school can be a mix of excitement, anxiety, or anything in between. Whether students are returning from summer break, going to a new school, or … Read More
Finding Belonging in Books: The Importance of Literacy
After college, I taught 9th-grade English for 4 years at a charter school in New York City. My lifetime love of learning and desire to instill that love in other … Read More
Banned Books Week: A Celebration of the Freedom to Read
Launched in 1982, Banned Books Week is an annual event that champions the freedom to read. Over the past 40 years, the number of banned and challenged books in libraries … Read More
Why Poetry Matters and Five Recommendations
Poetry is not a luxury. It is a vital necessity of our existence. –Audrey Lorde The WITS mission is to empower Chicago elementary students to discover themselves through reading while … Read More
Four Books about Home and Belonging
Throughout the year, WITS students and mentors build relationships together through books and the power of sharing stories. At the end of each program year, to celebrate the time students … Read More
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. AAPI Heritage Month is celebrated in May because in May 1843 the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the US, and … Read More
Teaching Student Body Autonomy
Hello, WITS blog readers. My name is Estefania Rodriguez and I am currently a program coordinator at WITS. I am also a psychologist with a sub-specialization in sexology. In my … Read More
WITS Summer Books Highlights 2023
An essential part of the WITS mission is to help students build at-home libraries and foster a love of reading outside of the classroom. Through the WITS Summer Books initiative, … Read More
