Sunday, May 31, 2009

Copy and Paste Parent Tips

Copy and paste "Summer Reading Tips" into your organization's newsletter.

Summer Reading Tips for Parents

Summer shouldn't mean taking a break from learning, especially when it comes to reading. Studies show that most students experience a loss of reading skills over the summer months, but children who continue to read actually gain skills. During the summer parents can help children strengthen their vocabulary and reinforce the benefits of reading for enjoyment.

Summer is the perfect time to relax and enjoy the pleasures of childhood,and reading can be one of those pleasures not a chore! Here are a few ways to make reading a part of your summer fun:

Read aloud together with your child every day. Make it fun by reading outdoors -- on the front steps, deck, at the beach or park. Also, let your children read to you. For younger children, be sure to practice letter-sound correspondence, do lots of rhyming and clapping out syllables, and explore the relationships between oral language and print.

Set a good example! Keep lots of reading material around the house. Turn off the TV and have family reading time (including mom and dad).

Let kids choose what they want to read. If your child is already reading independently, read the same book as your child and discuss it.

Buy books on tape or CD, or check them out at the library. This can be especially helpful for a child with a learning disability. Listen to these recordings in the car, or turn off the TV and have the family listen to them together at home.

As you go through the day -- cooking, gardening, grocery shopping, playing games -- utilize this time as an opportunity to engage in verbal word play, vocabulary building, recognizing new and familiar words or attaching meaning to words and sentences.

Take your children to the library regularly. Local libraries sponsor summer reading clubs with easy-to-reach goals for pre-school and school-age children. Check the library calendar for special summer reading activities and events.

Subscribe, in your child's name, to magazines like Sports Illustrated for Kids, Highlights for Children, or National Geographic World. Encourage older children to read the newspaper and current events magazines as a way of keeping up the reading habit over the summer and enhancing a growing vocabulary. Ask them what they think about what they've read, and listen to what they say.

Ease disappointment over summer separation from a favorite school friend by encouraging them to become pen pals. Present both children with postcards or envelopes that are already addressed and stamped. If both children have access to the Internet, e-mail or instant messaging are other options.

Trips can be a fun way to encourage reading. Ask your children to read traffic signs and billboards aloud. Show them how to read a map, and once you are on the road, let them take turns being the navigator.

Encourage children to keep a summer scrapbook. Tape in souvenirs of your family's summer activities -- picture postcards, ticket stubs, photos. Have your children write the captions and read them aloud as you look at the book together.

adapted from information provided by the Learning Disabilities Association of Washington

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Teen Challenge

Here on the Project Read blog we focus almost exclusively on early literacy, but I heard a presentation by Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn, Executive Director of Youth Community Connections a few weeks ago that made me really think.

Laura reported on studies of teen family and community relationships and noted that "When we see people we know, or meet a new family, we fall all over the young children asking 'What's your name?' or 'How old are you?' and totally ignore the teens who are standing right there. What message do you get when you are ignored?" I had this brought home to me yesterday at the Eagleview Community Technology Center when three children were signing in to use the computers. Sure enough, I asked the 1st and 3rd graders how they'd been since I'd last seen them, then went back to what I had been doing with nothing more than a perfunctory hello to their 15 year old sister.

So here's the challenge- When you find yourself in the presence of teens and younger children, engage the teen in conversation before turning your attention to the young ones.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Friday Fun

It's Friday and Friday's are for fun. Now that it's finally warm enough to enjoy the outdoors without jackets, what's more fun than playing in water?

Here are two easy activities that can stimulate your child's inner scientist.



Painting with Water

Kids love seeing how colors get darker when they paint over them with water. Take them outside with a paintbrush and a bucket of water, and let them paint the house. "Painting" over sidewalk chalk drawings makes the pictures shine and the colors deepen until dry. Do an experiment together by painting a spot in the shade and one in the sun. Ask your child, "Which dried first?" "Why?" Very young children will enjoy just pouring water from plastic bottles onto a sidewalk, deck, or patio.

Dropping Rocks into Water

Toddlers enjoy throwing stones into a creek or lake, so why not bring the fun to your own backyard? Fill a bucket with water and let them toss in rocks.

Encourage their inner scientist with questions. Ask "What happens to the size of the splash when you drop the rocks from high up rather than close to the bucket?" Try dropping in other objects like toys, leaves, sticks, or kitchen utensils. "Do they float or sink?"

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Geoffrey Canada Addressess MN Meeting

Video for the third, and final, event in the 2009 MN Meeting public affairs series "Raising Expectations" is not up yet, but you can see the first two meetings and read about Geoffrey Canada's address here.

An excerpt from the MinnPost.com interview with Canada, founder of the Harlem Children's Zone, highlights the importance of starting early, and sticking with it, to close the achievement gap.

"What people mostly have done is create great early-childhood programs, and they don't do anything after. Or a great after-school program for elementary schools and then they go to lousy middle schools and there's nothing in the high schools. You've got to connect these supports so you can leverage one investment into the next investment. ..It takes time. It's not going to happen in a year or two."

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Project Read Reminders

The next meeting for Project Read is tomorrow, May 28, 2009 at 8:00 AM at the District 318 Admin Building rm 135. The admin building is located at 820 NW 1st Ave. in Grand Rapids.

Target Early Childhood Reading Grant applications are due Sunday, May 31.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Quotable

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”

- Richard Steele

Monday, May 25, 2009

Did You Know?

The average high school dropout earns $7,000 less annually than the average high school graduate (or equivalent). - U.S.Census

Being able to read at grade level by the end of third grade is the strongest predictor of whether or not your child will graduate from high school on time, or at all. Read to your child every day, from birth!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Copy and Paste Parent Tip

Copy and paste to share with the families you work with.

Print Motivation is another early literacy skill.

What it is: Understanding that reading is useful or entertaining-then wanting to learn to do it.

When your child sees you reading instructions or a recipe, then creating something he likes, he'll want to read too.

Read these instructions with your young person then make a cool summer treat together.

Zip Loc Ice Cream

What can you make with ice, salt, milk, vanilla, and sugar?

Ice cream, of course! Follow the directions below:

Ingredients/supplies: large ziploc bag, small ziploc bag, ice, salt, 1/2 cup of milk (whole milk works best), 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla.

Fill 1/3 of a large ziploc bag with ice. Put 6 tablespoons of salt on top of the ice. Then, in the smaller ziploc bag mix 1/2 cup of milk, 1 tbsp of sugar, 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla. Close the bag and put it inside the larger bag. Shake for about five minutes. Eat and enjoy!

You can also use large and small coffee cans instead of the plastic bags.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Free Literacy Materials for your Organization


The U.S. Department of Education provides publications, free of charge, to the general public and many are suitable for organizations promoting early literacy. Visit edpubs.gov to see what's available and to order. Many brochures are available in pdf format online so you can preview before you order.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Friday Fun

It's Friday, and Friday's are for fun.

Tuna, taco, baked potato ice cream??!!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Make Reading Part of Your Routine

Oops, the weather has been warm and the garden grabbed my attention, then there was just enough daylight to get a little fishing in, before I knew it my evening was over and the day slipped by without updating the Project Read blog. Whew, another day or two and not updating would be the routine.

Whether it's the pleasures of warm weather, travel, or visiting grandparents, children's routines take a beating in the summer. If you have trouble fitting reading to your child into a busy day make it a part of your bed time ritual. Just a few minutes with a book before the lights go out make a big difference in building and maintaining important early reading skills.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Head Outdoors with Children First Events

May 19
Tuesday, 6-8:30pm in Grand Rapids, The Forest History Center
Feeder Favorites
Children will be introduced to birding. After a bird-watching hike, they will construct backyard bird feeders from recycled materials. Children and parents, this is an opportunity to connect with each other and with nature.
Pre-registration required.
Register online www.getlearning.org or contact Karen at 218-327-5799 or
kwalker@isd318.org

June 6
Saturday, 9am-Noon in Squaw Lake, Round Lake
(where The Harbor Bar used to be)
Take a Kid Fishing Day
Learn basic boating and fishing safety, and how to properly fasten and use a Personal Flotation Device. Also, learn about appropriate bait disposal. Chippy the Project Read Chipmunk will be there to greet you! Please call to reserve a spot.
Call Julie at 218-659-4239 or Brian at 218-659-4216

June 7
Sunday, 12-3pm in Grand Rapids, Forest History Center
Trees – Homes for Birds
Build and install nesting boxes, platforms and feeding stations on the Forest History Center grounds. Learn about birds in our area, how to identify them and ways to attract them to your backyard. Make and take home your own birdhouse for your family.
Pre-registration required.
Register online www.getlearning.org or contact Karen at 218-327-5799 or
kwalker@isd318.org

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Copy and Paste Parent Tips

Understanding "Print Concepts" is an early literacy skill you child needs to be ready to read.

What it is: Knowing about the printed word and how printed language works.

How to encourage it:

* Allow your child to explore books by having plenty of books around.
* Talk about books. There is a front and back, an author and an illustrator. We read English from left to right and from top to bottom. Words are made of letters. There are spaces between words. We use upper and lower case letters and punctuation. The picture gives cues about the story.
* Point out reading and writing in daily life. You read menus, traffic signs, calendars, notes to family, shopping lists, cereal boxes, and TV schedules. You read and write email, letters, memos, and lists.
* Write down a story as your child dictates it to you.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Friday Fun

It's Friday, and Fridays are for fun.

When your child recognizes patterns she's building math skills. You can encourage her to find patterns by asking "What comes next?" just like the Pattern Detective.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Children First Events May 16 and 19

May 16
Saturday, 10-12:30pm in Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Public Library
Art ‘n Air
Refresh your imagination as you create art projects designed to catch the wind. Creativity Tank artists will guide families in creating their own kites, paper airplanes, pinwheels, wind wands, mobiles and more. Projects geared for varying age levels – find a project that captures your interest and ability level. Pre-registration required and space is limited. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Call Children’s Librarian at 218-327-8823 to pre-register.

May 19
Tuesday, 6-8:30pm in Grand Rapids, The Forest History Center
Feeder Favorites
Children will be introduced to birding. After a bird-watching hike, they will construct backyard bird feeders from recycled materials. Children and parents, this is an opportunity to connect with each other and with nature. Pre-registration required.
Register online www.getlearning.org or contact Karen at 218-327-5799 or kwalker@isd318.org

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Barbara Bush Foundation Grants Info

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy will have applications for 2010 grants available on the web site in July.

Get ahead of the game and do not wait until July to take a look at previous grantees and frequently asked questions. Meeting with potential partners and collaborating organizations now will help you create a stronger application later!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Copy and Past Parent Tips

Check out this article by Seattle Books Examiner Tegan Tigani about President Obama, the "Reader in Chief" and his reading of Maurice Sendak's classic Where the Wild Things Are at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

Here are some great things President Obama did during his reading that we can all try when reading aloud:

Start with a connection to the book. The President tells the audience that this is one of his favorite books. When you tell kids that you love a book, you set a great example and provide incentive for them to listen. This also fosters a culture of shared literary experiences.
Point out illustrations Making connections between text and illustrations helps children develop their reading (and listening) comprehension. Listeners take clues from pictures, identify with characters, and even use illustrations as starting points for their own visualization. Illustrations can help children identify with books, understand humor, and make inferences about character and plot. (President Obama made me laugh and remember one of my favorite parts of the story when he mentioned, “He has a fork, like he wants to eat the dog!”)
Pause for audience participation.Letting listeners jump in with repeated and favorite phrases encourages active reading skills. Listeners who recognize patterns and anticipate are involved in the story.
Make Sound effects. Mrs. Obama’s growls and President Obama’s improv wild rumpus music help the listeners immerse themselves in the world of the book. The Wild Things come to life when we can imagine what they sound like. The first couple’s playful interaction also shows the collaborative fun of reading together. Plus, we can all appreciate the self-confidence and sense of humor it takes to play along.
Act it out. This is another wonderful way to help kids understand a book and make it more relatable. Gestures, voices, and action also keep attention from wandering. By showing claws like a Wild Thing and pointing a chastising finger like Max, the President keeps even the youngest kids focused on the story and thinking what these characters would look, act, and sound like in real life.
Encourage the audience to act like the characters. After reading about Max’s magic trick to calm the Wild Things, the President asks, “Can everybody do that? Try to stare without blinking.” When kids do something the character in the book does, they feel empowered and connected to the book.
Contextualize and reassure. Because reading aloud makes stories so vivid, it is important to acknowledge kids’ reactions to books. Discussing books and our response to them helps build a community of readers and thinkers. After a rousing “The End,” it is good to reflect on the story together. In smaller groups, listeners may want to revisit their favorite parts or talk about how they feel. In bigger groups, it is especially important to be sensitive to the readers’ nonverbal reactions. After Mrs. Obama noticed some kids looking scared, President Obama reassured everyone in his calm, assertive, empathetic way. “Those Wild Things can be a little scary. But it’s alright. He ended up back in the bedroom."


Here's a video:

Friday, May 8, 2009

Friday Fun


It's Friday and Friday's are for fun.

Yes, it's fishing opener this weekend, but there's another special day coming up on Sunday- Mother's Day. Have some fun with your young child making a life-sized card.

Have your child lie on top of a large sheet of cardboard (break down a box), and then use a marker to trace around his body.

Next, cut along your trace lines to complete the life-sized image of your child. Then give your toddler some time to decorate the cut out. Finish by writing a message to Mom on the card, and placing it somewhere that Mom is sure to find it.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Summer Reading at Eagleview

Summer reading fun for all ages starts at the Eagleview Community Technology Center and Library on Tuesday, June 2nd. Check out story time with Jackie at 4:30PM every Tuesday through August. Children of all ages can sign up to win prizes for reading, or being read to by an adult or older child.

The Eagleview Tech Center is open Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00-8:00PM and Friday from 4:00-7:00 PM. Closed Friday, June 26th for Pow-Wow and Friday, July 3rd for the Independence Day holiday. Call 218.659.4254 for more information.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Summer Reading Programs Start Soon

Several local libraries have summer reading fun planned. Today's focus on the Project Read Blog is the Grand Rapids Area Library program: "Be Creative at your Library!"

From their web site:

We have 10 weeks of fun for all area boys and girls, including contests, prize drawings, book give-aways, and special events. Fight "summer slide!" Mark your calendars NOW!

Saturday, May 16 @ 10:30 a.m.: Kick-Off Event: Art 'n' Air, with the Creativity Tank. All ages are invited to attend, pre-registration required, space is limited. Be sure to sign up to "Be Creative at Your Library!"

Week of May 18 - May 23: Take-and-Make. Registration continues for the summer reading program. Pick up your reading log, bookmark and other program information. Take time to sign up for special events.

Summer Reading Program Events are free to all children, thanks to financial support from The Friends of the Grand Rapids Area Library and the Blandin Foundation

Monday, May 4, 2009

Click Clack Moo

This great book made the New York Public Library's list of "100 Picture Books You Should Know."

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Copy and Past Parent Tips

Bathtub Literacy
(adapted from the PBS "Between the Lions" web site)

Five tips for bath time reading, listening and speaking skill building.

1. Sing songs together at your kids' bath time. Be as loud as you can be! Make up new songs.
2. Have kids play imagination games and role play with bath toys. Is that sponge really a shark? A mermaid? A pirate?
4. Take the opportunity to learn the names of body parts. Can they wash in alphabetical order? Wash that ARM before your BACK or CHIN.
5. Chat to your kids in the bath. Can you think of a better time when they have your attention? Conversation is really important as your kids learn to read, write, listen and speak. You are their primary model.

Bonus tip-read a story to your child while he's in the tub. Bathtime for Biscuit is an early reader favorite available at the Grand Rapids Area Library.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Quotable

“The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as long as we live.”

- Mortimer Adler

Friday, May 1, 2009

Friday Fun

What happens when two stubborn Zax won't alter their tracks?