Help launch a national read to kids campaign
March 10, 2010 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
Many of us have ideas to bring about change in America, but it’s a challenge to transform that idea into reality. One way you can bring about change in America is by voting for change.org’s Top 10 Ideas for Change in America.
Ideas for Change in America is a crowd-sourcing competition that empowers citizens to identify and build momentum around a diverse range of ideas for addressing the challenges our country faces. From January – February 2010, more than 2,500 ideas were submitted and voted on by 100,000 people across the country. The final round of voting is taking place now and ends this Friday. The 10 most popular ideas will be presented to relevant members of the Obama Administration, and Change.org will subsequently mobilize its full community to support a series of grassroots campaigns to help turn each idea into reality.
Everybody Wins USA has come up with an excellent idea for change in America…To launch a national “Read to Kids” campaign.
Did you know that by reading aloud with low-income children, we can help bridge the literacy gap? To accomplish this, we need a national campaign that emphasizes the importance of parents, teachers and community volunteers reading aloud to children at least 20 minutes a day from birth through high school. Similar to the national physical activity campaign that encourages kids to get their 60 minutes of physical activity every day, we need a similar campaign aimed at encouraging kids to get their 20 minutes of reading aloud every day.
A national “Read to Kids” campaign could engage national and local literacy organizations, schools, teachers, parents, authors, publishers and nearly every sector of business and society that understands that our nation’s future depends on our children’s literacy skills.
Support Everybody Wins USA in their efforts to launch a National “Read to Kids” Campaign by voting at the link below. It only takes a minute, but the results will be well worth it!
America comes under one hat to celebrate Read Across America Day
March 4, 2010 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
The NEA, celebrated the fun of reading, bringing America under one hat—the famous red-and-white stovepipe of the Cat—for a flurry of reading excitement on March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss as well as Read Across America Day.
The National Education Association’s Read Across America Day is the nation’s largest reading event, occurring each year on or near Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Many schools and libraries across the country organized their own events and celebrations.
Even the White House sent out a Presidential Proclamation for the celebration…
“While government must ensure that all our children receive a world-class education, parents and caregivers play a crucial role in preparing them — especially during early childhood. We can promote a positive relationship with books and language through everyday activities to make reading fun and interactive. When reading to young children, I urge all parents and caregivers to talk about what is happening in a story, point out details that relate to real life, and encourage them to ask about words they do not understand. Making regular trips to the library, playing word games, and simply keeping books around the home can foster a love of reading that will last a lifetime. We can also set a good example by turning off the television and picking up a book to read with or alongside our children,” said President Obama.
Theodor Geisel wrote more than 60 books for children. He used the pen name Dr. Seuss for the titles he both wrote and illustrated, while the pen name Theo LeSieg was used for the titles he wrote but didn’t illustrate. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1984. He was born on March 2, 1904, and died in 1991. He would have turned 106 Tuesday.
Watch video clips from Reading Rockets’ interview with Audrey Geisel, the widow of Dr. Seuss, Ted Geisel. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the life of the man who’s had a lasting influence on children’s literature and American culture.
I Love to Write Day
October 14, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
Tomorrow marks the eighth annual I Love To Write Day, a grassroots effort to have people of all ages practice their writing skills. The Children’s Way Foundation (the non-profit developer of the virtual world, Woogiworld.com, and author of 30 years, John Riddle, are collaborating to bring the opportunity for children to discover and develop the talent of writing to 50,000 elementary schools throughout the country. In fact, Governors from the following states have “officially proclaimed” November 15th I Love To Write Day: Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Louisiana, NewJersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan and Texas.
Created by Delaware author John Riddle, I Love to Write Day is an opportunity for people of all ages to write something: a poem, an essay, a letter to the editor, a short story, start a novel, finish a novel…the possibilities are endless! On the first I Love to Write Day, 11,328 schools across the country held special writing events and activities. Last year, they signed up 15, 123 schools. This year, the goal is to have an I Love to Write Day program in over 20,000 schools. Please help spread the word: tell schools, libraries and bookstores in your community about I Love to Write Day.
“Supporting children in honing their writing craft can be daunting—most of us don’t feel accomplished ourselves as writers. This is why we’re so excited to be partnering with John Riddle—an accomplished writer who’s passionate about helping kids discover this talent. Who knows, we could very well find many of the next generation of best-selling authors through this endeavor. We’re confident we will!” said Scott Dow, Founder and CEO of Children’s Way.
Help celebrate the “world’s largest party for writers” by signing up for the 2009 I Love To Write Day. It’s free! Register by sending an e-mail to ilovetowriteday@ilovetowriteday.org Include your name, hometown, occupation, and tell them you learned about I Love To Write Day from Lori Calabrese Writes!
Keep watching the official website for new updates!
Read for the Record
October 2, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
Jumpstart, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations in the field of early childhood education, knows that reading aloud with preschool children lays the groundwork for strong literacy skills and future success in school and in life. In 2006, they created ‘Read for the Record,’ an international campaign to bring preschool children together with valued grownups in their lives to read the same book, on the same day, in communities all over the world.
The fourth annual campaign takes place this year on October 8, 2009. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world will open Eric Carle’s beloved book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar
In 2008, Jumpstart broke their own world record as nearly 700,000 readers shared the classic children’s tale, Corduroy. Pledge to read today to help set a new world record.
Read for the Record is a wonderful opportunity to have children around the world simultaneously experience the joy of reading. On one historic day, one amazing book will be read aloud in classrooms, libraries and homes from Japan, Germany, and Brazil to cities and rural communities across America.
About Jumpstart:
Jumpstart brings college students and community volunteers together with preschool children for year long, individualized tutoring and mentoring. Since 1993, more than 70,000 preschool children across America have benefited from millions of hours of Jumpstart service. This year alone, Jumpstart volunteers are serving more than one million hours with 15,000 preschool children in 80 communities across America.
Celebrate Make it Matter Day!
September 30, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
Reader’s Digest, Reading Is Fundamental, and other organizations are partnering to bring learning to life for Reader’s Digest’s National Make It Matter Day, this Saturday (October 3rd). Members of local communities as well as local and national organizations will rally behind literacy and education in over 100 events at select schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, and libraries across the U.S..
Be a part of Make it Matter Day and rally to support reading, writing, and learning. If everyone puts their collective hearts and hands behind it, we can really make it matter.
How can you be a part of Make It Matter Day?
-Find an event in your area. There are hundreds planned coast-to-coast.
-Other ways to get involved:
- Read to a child.
- Volunteer at your local library, elementary school, or Boys & Girls Club.
- Organize a community book drive.
- Raise money for a literacy-based cause.
- Download the Make It Matter Day Tool Kit (pdf) for great reading and writing activities.
- CLICK HERE to donate a Weekly Reader subscription to a classroom or school.
Show your support for Ted Kennedy by supporting Everybody Wins!
August 28, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
As the world mourns Senator Ted Kennedy, many people have mentioned his work with the Washington-based reading program known as “Everybody Wins!” The Massachusetts Democrat was inspired to write his children’s book, My Senator and Me, from his work with Everybody Wins!
Everybody Wins! USA is currently holding a literacy auction that is now open! The auction will run until September 2, 2009, with proceeds going to Everybody Wins USA in order to help them expand their Power Lunch reading program to low-income children. Power Lunch is a lunchtime literacy and mentoring program that brings groups of adult volunteers into low-income elementary schools for one-on-one read aloud sessions with students.
Everybody Wins! was recently cited by the White House as “one of the countless hidden gems across the country that is successfully bringing together people from all sectors to address community challenges with solutions proven to work.” Everybody Wins’ work was also recently featured in the Chronicle of Philathropy, GOOD Magazine and by Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
For more information:
The Everybody Wins USA Auction
Everybody Wins! Official Website
To see Everybody Wins in action check out the short video below…or watch their new TV PSA.
Books for Infants
August 13, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
Get young readers writing about books
July 29, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
One valuable step to reading is comprehending and developing thoughtful interpretations of what one reads. That’s why it’s important for young readers to be actively involved in the books they read. Beginning at the pre-school age, parents should discuss what’s happening in the illustrations of a picture book, and ask questions such as what will happen next.
By the time your young readers are in school, many teachers will use books as a great way to not only get them reading, but also writing. Even if a school is fortunate enough to have an excellent reading curriculum in place, several other factors play a large role in whether students will be able to meet their reading objectives.
There are many instructional tools available for teachers and one is called Book Punch. Book Punch is an educational software program that provides interactive, step-by-step writing prompts for popular children’s and young adult literature. Popular titles include “Because of Winn-Dixie,” “Holes,” and “The Giver.” The program uses instructional technology to lead students step-by-step through pre-writing, organizing, revising, editing and publishing their original responses to writing prompts for each book.
For teachers who find it difficult to provide enough personal attention to each pupil, Book Punch is an aid in the classroom that can help guide students through the process of thinking and writing about books commonly read in schools today. Book Punch’s writing prompts provide support for students of a wide range of abilities, including striving readers.
For additional information on Book Punch, please visit the official website for full-working demos, teaching tips and pricing information.
How to build your child's library on a budget
July 22, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
One important job as a parent, as if you didn’t have enough, is building a library for your child. One of the biggest factors to raising a reader is the quality and amount of books you make available for your young reader. However, parents already have many expenses and the average price for a hardcover children’s book is $19.99. So how do you build a library for your child that will encourage his love of reading and provide him with a bunch of titles he’ll remember forever?
In a time when everyone’s taking a look at ways to be frugal, you can also find some budget-friendly ways to provide books for your young readers.
2. Hardcover vs. Paperback:
Hardcovers are usually appropriate for young children, since they’ll hold up better to the wear and tear, but the truth is, paperbacks cost less. You can create a much less expensive library with paperbacks and often find the same quality titles available in hardback.
3. Thrift stores:
Thrift stores are a great resource to search for books.
4. Dollar Stores and Dollar Bins:
If you peruse the dollar bins at stores such as Target, you’ll often find board books for babies and toddlers for only $1. Sometimes they even mark items down in the dollar bins to 50% off, so you can get books for $.50!
5. Gifts:
6. Garage and Yard Sales:
Many parents whose children have outgrown their books will often try to declutter their house by selling them at garage and yard sales. Since most children like to mouth books and have wet hands while turning pages, turn to a safe non-toxic cleaner and give the books a good swipe.
7. Community Programs:
I recently highlighted Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Available in select communities, this wonderful program provides free books for children until they turn 5. See if any of these programs are available in your area.
8.Book Stores:
Book Stores often have a discount rack where you can find children’s titles appropriate for your child’s library. Most of these book stores also offer reward programs (make sure it’s at no cost to you) and sign up for e-mail alerts because they’ll also send coupons.
9. Used Book Stores:
Used Book Stores are a wonderful place to find used books at a discount price.
10. Book Swaps:
Look in your community for book swap opportunities. You can simply find another parent and trade books your child might not be interested in for others. You can also check at your grocery store, as some stores offer a book swap table where you can donate your used books and take another.
Building your child’s library is an investment that will pay off by instilling a love of reading in your child, and these are just a few ways you don’t have to break the bank to do it. As your child grows older, keep books on low shelves or in baskets where he can see them and get them himself. Also teach a respect for books early on and show children where their books belong, so they’re not covering your living room floor. For example, one great idea is to decorate a large cardboard box with color copies of your child’s favorite books’ covers. You can cover the copies with craft glue, so they won’t rip. Then teach your child to return their books to the box when finished and every few days, play librarian and return the books to your shelves. While building your child’s library, remember that what your child will truly remember is the time you curl up with them to read a good book.
“A home without books is like a room without windows …
A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.”
~Henry Ward Beecher
Suggestions for helping your child while reading
July 21, 2009 by Lori Calabrese · Comments
Helping your child learn to read is a partnership that will pay off for a lifetime. Although reading and writing abilities continue to develop throughout life, the early childhood years – from birth through age eight – are the most important period for literacy development. Many people wonder when a child learns to read. Most would answer kindergarten or first grade, but the truth is children start down the road to reading as soon as they are born.
The development of early literacy skills through early experiences with books and stories is critically linked to a child’s success in learning to read. That’s why children’s books need to provide both the stories children enjoy and the structure they need to read fluently and independently.
You can prepare your child to read by sharing your time, talking about the world around you, telling and reading stories and asking and answering questions.
Here are suggestions for helping your child before, during, and after reading:
1. Make reading fun. Read to your child in a comfortable place. Have her sit on
your lap or next to you so that she can see and point to the print and the pictures.
2. Show enthusiasm as you read with your child. Read the story with expression, almost as though you’re acting the story out on a Broadway stage. You can make the story more interesting by talking as the characters would talk, making sound effects, and making expressions with your face and hands.
3. Read to your child often. Set aside special times for reading each day, maybe after lunch and at bedtime. The more you can read to him or her, the better—as long as he/she is willing to listen. Reading times can be brief, about 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Look at the cover together and ask your child to predict what the story is about.
5. Encourage your child to chime in with familiar words and phrases.
6. Echo read with your child by reading a line first and having your child read it after you do.
7. Encourage your child to use phonics skills to sound out new words.
8. Provide the word for your child when more assistance is needed so that he or she does not struggle and the experience of reading with you is a positive one.
9. Encourage your child to read the books over and over again. Have him or her read to brothers, sisters, grandparents, and even stuffed animals. Repeated readings develop confidence in young readers.
10. Talk about the stories. Ask and answer questions. Share ideas about the funniest and most interesting characters and events in the stories.
Even six-week-old babies like the feeling of closeness when a parent,grandparent, or other caretaker reads to them. When children find out that reading can be a warm, happy experience, they begin to build a lifelong love of reading.
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