Deadline: The application period has closed.

The American Fidelity Foundation is sponsoring a pilot reading program for Oklahoma City Public Schools utilizing The Greening Book by Ellen Sabin. This is a fun, unique tool to help support your national and state content standards while students learn how to care for their community and Mother Earth.

Targeted grade levels are 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classrooms, The Greening Book by Ellen Sabin inspires children to appreciate the earth’s gifts, learn about its needs, and discover their power to protect and care for our Planet. Teachers will be provided with one book per student and a curriculum guide. Students get to take books home at the end of the project.

"It is exciting to work with partners like The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools," said Dave Lopez, American Fidelity Foundation President. "It's even more of a thrill that the partnership will help instill in students the importance of reading and of our community values."

The program is based on The Greening Book by Ellen Sabin. This is an empowering book that engages children in learning about environmental issues as it helps them discover their power to make a difference in the world by understanding, nurturing, and protecting our planet. The Greening Book invites children to be the author of their own story through activities and journaling that will help them deepen their friendship with the earth and, in turn, develop a lifetime of habits that protect and nurture the world around them.

Watering Can^® Press Publisher is committed "To Growing Kids with Character." The Greening Book does this by:

• Encouraging them to recognize and appreciate the many gifts that they get from the earth.
  
  
• Inviting them to be responsible citizens by making their own plan to help the planet and other living things.
  
  
• Helping children view the earth as a "friend" and realize that friendships are two-way streets that require thoughtfulness and consideration in return.
  
  
• Strengthening their self-esteem and sense of worth by showing them that their actions can make a difference in the world.
  
  
• Inspiring them to learn more about the earth and its needs.

Each student will receive his/her own personal book that is theirs to keep—this is not a classroom set. The Greening Book is an interactive activity book, so students will have the chance to co-author the book.

Not only was this program designed to teach students, but it was also designed to provide teachers with the tools to complete it successfully. The Greening Book program includes:

• A fun and rewarding supplemental class project during the school year.
  
  
• Books and materials provided at no cost to teachers and students.
  
  
• A complimentary teacher's guide, including lesson plans.
  
  
• Adequate time to teach students (average program completion time is 3-4 months which will ensure compliance with national and state content standards.)
  
• An opportunity for guest readers from the community.

There are limited quantities available, so interested parties need to apply to request their copies of The Greening Book.

For more information on The Greening Book, visit www.wateringcanpress.com.

About AF Foundation and American Fidelity Assurance Company
Established in 1982 as the American Fidelity Founders Fund, the American Fidelity Foundation was renamed and refocused in early 2007 to better match community needs, to provide increased financial resources and to compliment other civic involvement by American Fidelity companies and Colleagues.

The Foundation was created to continue the legacy and vision C.B. and C.W. Cameron, the founders of American Fidelity Assurance Company (AFA). From its start in 1960, AFA has achieved unparalleled success and is now one of the largest private, family-owned life and health insurance companies in the nation.

The success of AFA and other American Fidelity companies has helped the Foundation’s assets to grow to nearly $8 million.