A Black Stallion Literacy Foundation (BSLF) professional development workshop was held on the University of Kentucky campus March 25.

The Black Stallion Literacy Foundation aims to use the magic of live horses and books by Walter Farley to spark the imagination of first grade students so they will want to learn to read, and to motivate fourth grade students so they will come to learn the enjoyment of reading. The purpose of this particular workshop was to familiarize teachers with the program, introduce them to new ways to increase literacy skills in elementary classrooms, and integrate music and literacy into a classic piece of children’s literature.

In the workshop attendees heard from leaders in the equine industry, including Tim Farley, co-founder of the Black Stallion Literacy Foundation, as well as education professionals who discussed how to integrate literacy strategies into the classroom.

"The purpose of the BSLF Teacher Workshops is to familiarize teachers with the BSLF program," said Wendy Lambert, PhD, director of education and technology at BSLF. "Information about the history and scope of the program is provided, and teachers get hands-on experience with various teaching strategies that they can utilize with their own students as they teach Walter Farley’s The Black Stallion. The BSLF curriculum is aligned with state and national standards and, thus, assists teachers in preparing their students for standardized tests, in addition to providing a meaningful and memorable learning experience for the children