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Posts tagged Literacy
Community Sourced Audio Recording of Oz to Benefit First Book!
During the 2010 American Library Association Annual Conference in Washington D.C., Random House Audio, and OverDrive recruited individuals that attended the conference to participate in Lend Your Voice, a “community-sourced” audiobook recording of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The recording took place in OverDrive’s Digital Bookmobile, on Friday, June 25 through Sunday, June 27th. The Digital Bookmobile is a community outreach vehicle for public libraries to promote downloadable eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video. Developed inside a 74-foot, 18-wheel tractor-trailer, the nationally touring vehicle is a high-tech update of the traditional bookmobile that has served communities for decades.
Random House Audio will edit the recording, to feature as many as 300 voices—including those of Newbery winners Christopher Paul Curtis, Rebecca Stead, Karen Cushman and several other best-selling YA and adult authors—before releasing it as a digital download. When production is completed, the audiobook will be made available for a suggested donation, and all proceeds from those donations will benefit First Book.
Odds and Book Ends: June 25, 2010
Summer Reading: 60 titles for 92 days. Having trouble deciding what to read this season? Let the LA Times help you with a selection, made by the Times’ book editors, of forthcoming titles.
July Reviews of the Latest Spanish-Language Titles for children. This libraryjournal.com article contains numerous reviews for childrens literature appropriate for preschool to high school age students.
The United States Board on Books for Young People Nominates RIF for 2011 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is the world’s largest prize for children’s and young adult literature and the second-largest literature prize in the world. Learn more about this award and the other nominees by going to www.alma.se/en/.
Bill Hanney presents Theatre by the Sea in Matunuck Rhode Island. Visit every Friday from July 2 through August 20th to take part in the Children’s Festival. This festival will feature original music performances, Airborne comedians, and puppet theatre!
Early book satchels used by monks go on display in Edinburgh, Scotland. The leather book satchels have gone on display as part of a three year research project into early Scottish history.
Happy Summer Learning Day!
Today not only marks the first day of summer, but it’s also Summer Learning Day! Communities across the country are celebrating the importance of summer learning by hosting events that demonstrate the value of keeping the children in your community learning during the summer months. Even if your program is not hosting an event today, you can plan a program at any time or volunteer with the many events going on around the country.
First Book will be celebrating Summer Learning Day by distributing over 300,000 books thanks to a generous donation from Disney Publishing Worldwide! This distribution will benefit nearly 300 programs serving underprivileged children throughout the country. Additionally, we will be working with the International Spy Museum in Washington DC to help host Community Night, the Spy Museums monthly extravaganza designed for the DC Metropolitan community. The mission of Community Night is to spread goodwill and reach underserved communities. These free, fun-filled educational events are held the last Wednesday of every month from 4-8pm.
To get more ideas to keep minds active during summer keep reading the First Book blog, or visit the National Summer Learning Associations website.
First Book/Le Premier Livre Celebrates Education Week in Toronto
Jun03
2010
Written by Carol Anne R.
2010
Written by Carol Anne R.
First Book/Le Premier Livre celebrated Education Week in Toronto by distributing over 5,000 books to local students at North Kipling Junior Middle School and St. Bruno’s Catholic School. The much-needed books went to students in these priority neighborhood schools thanks to the financial support of TELUS. Local community partner, Toronto Police 23 Division, was also on site lending a hand.
Visit www.firstbookcanada.org for more information about what First Book is doing in Canada, how programs can receive books and volunteer opportunities.
TELUS North Kipling Junior Middle School Distribution
Keeping Kids Off the Summer Slide
In 1996, in a synthesis of 39 separate studies, 
researchers found that the average student, returning to school in September has lost the equivalent of 1.0 to 2.6 months of previous learning—in effect, erasing this amount of learning from their mind. According to the report, the biggest losses occur in the areas of spelling and computational math (multiplication, addition, etc.). The good news for both parents and students is [by having a summer learning plan and acting on it] that this “academic atrophy” can be reduced and even eliminated.
- Rob Stringer, Educational and Parenting Consultant, July 15, 2005
Many parents are unaware of the effect summer break may have on their childs learning achievement. The “summer slide” describes what happens when young minds sit idle for three months. Experts agree that children who read during the summer gain reading skills, while those who do not often READ MORE »
Blog Log: May 29, 2010
Written by Nursing Schools.net covers a large array of early childhood development topics. Their concentration on healthy living and a special concern for early literacy makes this blog a great resource for parents. While primarily a general health resource, this blog contains vital information for any parent.
First Book’s Post Pick: 100 Tiny Tips for Teaching Your Baby
Eco Child’s Play focuses on parenting tips with an environmentally friendly mission. Bloggers provide resources which encourage practices considerate of the environment. Furthermore their environmental mission fluidly incorporates itself in the development of safe suggestions for children and their development.
First Book’s Post Pick: Grab a Pillow, Book, and Head Outside
Family Literacy and You! seeks to foster relationships between parents and their children through the encouragement of family literacy practices. Articles range from activities which the whole family can be involved in to tips for developmentally appropriate books.
First Book’s Post Pick: Infants and the Stages of Reading
Winning Readings highlights specific resources such as books or DVDs which aid in early literacy. This is additionally an excellent resource for discovering events or other activities which focus on reading and literacy. Be sure to keep an eye out for summer reading tips.
First Book’s Post Pick: What is Your Book Philosophy for Kids?
Reading and Writing Resources Galore!
Guest Blogger Rachael Walker is the Outreach Consultant for Reading Rockets, a national multimedia initiative which aims to inform and inspire parents, teachers, childcare providers, and others who touch the life of a child by providing comprehensive, accessible information on how to teach kids to read and help those who struggle. Rachael began her career in children’s literacy at Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), has also served as a consultant to the NEA’s Read Across America campaign, and was most recently the Executive Director of Reach Out and Read of Metro DC.
Asian Pacific Heritage Month
At Reading Rockets and its sister site Colorin Colorado, celebrate the family traditions and the rich diversity of Asian and Pacific Americans through books and authors. Find great books written about a wide range of Asian and Pacific American cultural experiences. Meet authors Janet Wong, who grew up in Los Angeles where she observed the rich community life that comes from many cultures blending together, and Laurence Yep, who writes books that draw from his Chinese American background yet speaks to common feelings and experiences. Reading Rockets’ one-page Parent Tips offer ways for parents to help kids become successful readers and are available in 11 languages, including Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Hmong.
The Exquisite Prompt Writing Challenge Continues!
The Three Bears retold, inventions, obituaries, tall tale lunacy, dead words, cliff-hangers, and more! Lemony Snicket (A Series of Unfortunate Events) and Steven Kellogg (Pecos Bill) provide the inspiration for this month’s writing prompts. Give your K-12 students the chance to flex their writing muscles — and win fabulous prizes in the Exquisite Prompt Writing Challenge!
Summer Reading
Watch and learn about some of the best ways to keep kids engaged with learning during the summer break — and avoid the “summer slump” — in Adventures in Summer Learning, the newest episode of Launching Young Readers, WETA’s award-winning series. Then dig into a virtual beach bag of resources to help families get ready for fun, enriching summertime experiences. Make sure kids have a summer companion by browsing the 2010 Big Summer Booklist from Reading Rockets.
Blog Log: April 17, 2010
Tidy Books is a blog written by the founder of the Tidy Books Company. She created a line of new book shelving units designed with organization and fun in mind.
First Book’s Post Pick: Should Children’s Books Come with Warnings?
The Book Maven’s Haven is a blog run by a 4th and 5th grade teacher who shares information on children’s literature as well as similar associated topics. She shares books of interest as well as articles relating to literacy.
First Book’s Post Pick: Librarian Love
Open Shut Them is a blog run through a library in Ohio which brings to light important studies concerning child development. The blog also highlights books based around varying themes.
First Book’s Post Pick: It’s Past Your Bedtime
Imaginary Blog is a creative and fun place in which books meet other forms of expression. The blog highlights certain titles as well as fun activities to increase literacy.
First Book’s Post Pick: Making Books with Young Children: A “Make and Take” Hands-On Workshop For Adults
Odds and Bookends: March 26
Reading and Recycling Team Up to Increase Literacy
Stock Photography books are being upgraded to include basic words to teach youngsters how to read. Instead of letting these books fall into disuse from increased online activity, an advertising and communications corp has turned these books into literacy aids for disadvantaged children.
Listen to Famous Actors Read Children’s Books for Free
This website was created by the Screen Actors Guild designed to excite students about reading. Here you can listen to some of your favorite actors read children’s books aloud at no cost!
The Future of Children’s Book Publishing
In the technology age, even books are now going digital. Titles can be found on the screen granting kids access to explore accompanying games and activities. While not all authors are keen on publishing their books to the internet, some publishers are making headway.
Reading Rockets’ Rocket Blasts
If you haven’t already signed up, start getting Reading Rockets’ Rocket Blasts newsletter for great news about the world of literacy. Newsletters include links to articles about reading and learning disabilities, as well as other aspects of education.
Check Out Apple’s New iPad
ScrollMotion has been developing a blend of the iPhone and ebooks to create the iPad. Teaming up with notable publishing companies, ScrollMotion hopes to begin making textbooks digital followed by books for younger children.