Profiles in Partnership – Play In A Book

Ingenuity will periodically profile Chicago Arts Educator Forum (CAEF) members as part of Profiles in Partnership. We begin with Laura St. John, president of Play in a Book.

After 15 years as a teaching artist in CPS schools on Chicago’s South Side, Laura St. John opened Play in a Book–a drama-based supplemental reading program–in 2011. Laura’s curriculum is designed to meet the diverse needs of CPS’ student population, and can be used by classroom and arts instructors alike. Play in a Book and the corresponding curriculum have quickly expanded into dozens of classrooms throughout the district. Play in a Book has reportedly helped to increase students’ literacy test scores by as much as 40 percent. For more information on Play In A Book, visit their website.