This is an archive edition of the end-of-August Children’s Literacy and Reading News Roundup, republished here by the authors. You can see the original edition at Rasco from RIF.
Welcome to the bimonthly children’s literacy and reading news round-up brought to you by Jen Robinson’s Book Page and Scrub-a-Dub-Tub. As a reminder, while Jen, Mheir and Baby Bookworm are settling into routines, I (Rasco from RIF) am “filling in” for Jen, so here’s a *wave* to Jen and Baby Bookworm who is growing quite fast! It has been exciting recently to see Jen back on twitter and posting, check out some of her latest posts!
While the air doesn’t have even the hint of autumn yet in the Washington, DC area, the calendar says September, the windows of many commercial establishments show fall colors, the school busses are back on the streets and children are now not always running along the sidewalks more carefree but stooped forward with the weight of backpacks. It is easy to allow our thoughts to immediately leave summer behind….
But I encourage each of us to stop, think and go to work on preparing for next summer! There is no better time to reflect on our communities’ programming for summer learning than now when the summer of 2010 is fresh on our minds. I am a broken record, yes, I know it but summer is such a critical period for literacy for our children. Make sure your community has individuals attending the National Summer Learning Association’s (NSLA) annual conference SUMMER CHANGES EVERYTHING! By the way, *wave* a Happy Anniversary greeting to NSLA and read about their productive year for children.
As school does start up sights often turn to “back to school” nights or regular family engagement nights, mornings, afternoons…Reading Rockets recently shared an article Creative Literacy Events for Families listing some new ideas, different twists on often-used, good ideas. A family game night or cultural cookout sound intriguing to me! Also, if you have not reviewed a copy of School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action by Joyce Epstein and others, you will want to do so. Dr. Epstein is the Director of the National Network of Partnership Schools and the Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships, Principal Research Scientist, and Research Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University; the Network will be hosting the annual Leadership Development Conference in Baltimore October 26 and 26; you do not have to be a member of the Network to attend. It is a great opportunity for networking and learning more about the critical school, family and community partnerships critical to children’s educational progress.
Another potential community or even Family Literacy Night activity that builds on the “One Community, One Book” concept was recently announced by Boston: One City, One Story. I can see this as a great school activity – what about you?
The school “start up” period also brings about a new flurry of discussion about types of reading: book, e-readers, audio reading. While the article was posted in April, I only recently had it called to my attention and it notes: 81% of the top iPad book apps (13 of the top 16) are for kids; whether in print, on screen, really it’s just a book to the kids. And did you see the WSJ article recently labeled “THE ABC’S OF E-READING”? In brief, it notes a study of 1200 e-reader owners found that 40% said they read more than they did with print books, 58% read about the same amount and 2% said they read less. And 55% said they would use their device to read more in the future…worth a read. And there is already an article that makes one think about the future of that thing we know as an APP!
Now, in case you are worried about friends who do all their reading by e-reader and you want them to remember “the print book” or you yourself are pining for the “good ole days”….you can order this if still carried:
This is weird. But that also makes it fun. Perfume that smells like an old book! The maker of this scent, Christopher Brosius, loves his books. He describes the odour of his product as: “English Novel taken from a Signed First Edition of one of my very favorite novels, Russian & Moroccan leather bindings, worn cloth and a hint of wood polish”. He made four varieties of his “In the library” scent. It comes as Perfume Absolute 15 ml and 2 ml, a Water Perfume and a Home Spray. You can find out more about it, and order it if you dare, here.
In talking about their new book pictured above, Sandra Feinberg and James R. Keller have said “How parents and caregivers act within the library setting often influences how children feel and how often they will come to the library. How children feel when they use the library will affect their attitude and behavior not only when they are children but also when they become parents.” The author of the article I read in American Libraries went on to say “Substitute the word ‘reading’ for library…and is it any different? By the way, if you haven’t met Sandra Feinberg in print or in person, you must do so. She is the Library Director at the Middle Country Public Library in New York, what a librarian, what a library!
Speaking of Libraries, have you seen this great game? The Library Adventure Game! It uses a web-based simulation to teach reference skills….sounds very interesting to me as a former sixth-grade teacher who struggled to find engaging activities on just this topic.
RIF invites you to join us along with US Airways in packing your bags and taking off with the the 2010 Read with Kids Challenge! Remember, one part is where participants log the number of minutes they spend reading to and with children. This year, our nationwide goal is reading with kids for 10 million minutes between September 1 and October 31. Think of the incredible benefits kids will receive by spending quality time with you and some good books! (and there are nifty prizes, check it out!)
DON’T FORGET:
National Book Festival, September 25
Even if you can’t attend this 10th Annual Festival on the Mall, there are things on the website you’ll find interesting and more will be posted as the day draws closer! Also, remember the next installment of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure begun at the 2009 National Book Festival will be posted on September 10, don’t miss it!
Lights on Afterschool, October 21
Finally, RIF has located THE bookcase we want given we have programs in all 50 states…is this not the BEST? Thank you Shelf Awareness for this great find:
Happy Reading!
Carol
Twitter: @RascoFromRIF
