Latest in Literacy Blog
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USBE Partners with Kids Read Now to Provide Free Books to K-3 Students in Utah
Read more: USBE Partners with Kids Read Now to Provide Free Books to K-3 Students in UtahMarch 28, 2023 For Immediate Release Contact: Christine Elegante, k-3 literacy specialist, 801-538-7782, christine.elegante@schools.utah.gov USBE Partners with Kids Read Now to Provide Free Books to K-3 Students in Utah SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) has partnered with Kids Read Now, an innovative nonprofit program that provides free books to young students to…
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When given a choice, students select majority of books outside their grade level.
Read more: When given a choice, students select majority of books outside their grade level.“Few things leave a deeper mark on the reader, than the first book that finds its way to his heart.” – Carlos Ruiz Zafon Kids Read Now (KRN) uses many techniques and methods to reverse the summer reading slide. Crucially, unlike most summer reading programs and based on professional research, children need to select their…
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Illiteracy Drags Everyone Down
Read more: Illiteracy Drags Everyone DownAs we continue to raise a generation of children with poor reading skills, where just 34% are proficient readers, we need to recognize the ramifications on society. Certainly, the dramatic rise in digital recreation, where the average tween (9-12 years old) spends 6 hours a DAY on screens, growing to 7.5 for teenagers—8+ for low-income…
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Parents Love Our Program
Read more: Parents Love Our ProgramEvery year we survey parents and educators on what they like or would have us change about their child’s summer reading program. Thousands participate via survey links sent via text, app, and email— in multiple languages.
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Writing is Reading in Reverse
Read more: Writing is Reading in ReverseElementary teachers, reading specialists and literacy coaches all know that to be a good writer, children must also be good readers. They need to understand a plot, the characters, and sequencing and understand the vocabulary that moves a plot forward, explain the actions and motives of a character, and comprehend the changes that take place…
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State Legislators Can Help
Read more: State Legislators Can HelpThird party organizations have recognized the value of our program—in particular, firms that help state legislators understand issues and see model solutions that can be supported with bi-partisan bills that move literacy forward for summer literacy programs for elementary students. Based on a successful program we deployed in Michigan, where the state matched school funding…
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NAEP The Nation’s Report Card: Did Every Student Get an F?
Read more: NAEP The Nation’s Report Card: Did Every Student Get an F?More kids are further behind than ever. The NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) is considered the “Nation’s Report Card” on reading and math, and this fall, the report card for America’s 4th graders is basically an F. Post-pandemic—where many children were forced into remote learning situations and low-income students had challenges with technology and internet…
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Do you have your parents’ support and engagement?
Read more: Do you have your parents’ support and engagement?Are your parents aware of their children’s true progress? According to an article in EdWeek, 92 percent of parents believe their children are at grade level and doing just fine in the classroom, despite the widespread evidence that most students are struggling. Could it be that they would willingly and collaboratively engage with you in…
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Literacy Acceleration Playbook
Read more: Literacy Acceleration PlaybookWin. Excel. Beat a personal best. These are the mindsets of athletes. Even those who are not athletes know that in order to meet goals such as winning or surpassing a personal record one must practice, put in hard work, train, learn technique, and take feedback to help refine performance. In addition to the aforementioned…
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Addressing the Summer Slide
Read more: Addressing the Summer SlideIn 2012, my wife Barb and I were commiserating about the state of reading in the country—specifically what she, a 4th grade teacher, called ‘the dreaded summer slide’. Far too many kids, particularly from families that struggle, head back into class every fall, with less opportunity than their peers. They are not as engaged. They…