Interactive Read Alouds

In honor of Eric Carle’s  birthday on June 25^th, let’s celebrate by reflecting on one of his most famous books.

(http://www NULL.rarbayarea NULL.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/brown+bear+brown+bear NULL.jpg)

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is a popular read aloud and easy to memorize. Raising A Reader specializes in interactive read aloud where we not only read the words but include an action (sound or movement) and/or question with each page. During an interactive read aloud, some of the questions we might ask (depending on the age group) for this book include:

• What sound does the animal make?
• Where does the animal live?
• What does the animal eat?
• What are their babies called?
• Name three things that are (color)?
• What words rhyme with (name of animal)?

For our English language learners, we invite them to share the name and color of the animals in their home language.

The book can also be read as a song (http://www NULL.youtube NULL.com/watch?v=pdHCYgO9zh8). (more…)

KIT Camp

San Francisco Unified School District’s KIT (Kindergarteners In Training) Camp is up and running and partnering with local organizations to help support a smooth transition into Kindergarten for San Francisco’s youth. Raising A Reader (RAR) is offering the participating Kindergarten classes weekly read aloud sessions in the classroom and is one of the main presenters at the camp’s Family Literacy Nights. June 14^th kicked off the first Family Literacy Night; hosted by SFUSD, Raising A Reader and San Francisco Public Library (SFPL). Families were provided with a dinner, while the SFPL offered library services. Parents were able to fill out library card applications and board the Book Mobile with their children; where library cards were distributed and books were checked out. RAR and SFPL then joined forces in the cafeteria and presented two interactive stories. RAR ended the evening with the parents by facilitating a conversation about early literacy skills, brain development, and the importance of maintaining healthy reading habits in the home.

On the other side of the Bay, program coordinators have been talking to parents about preventing the “summer slide” (http://www NULL.scholastic NULL.com/resources/article/three-ways-to-prevent-summer-slide) by maintaining reading routines throughout the summer and visiting local libraries (http://www NULL.rarbayarea NULL.org/2011/05/summer-reading-season/). Parent are provided handouts with tips on promoting the six early literacy skills and kindergarten readiness.

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(http://www NULL.appliedsurveyresearch NULL.org/projects/KSRA_2008/reports/SanMateoCounty_SchoolReadinessAssessment2008-FinalReport NULL.pdf)

Diagram from the San Mateo School Readiness Assessment (http://www NULL.appliedsurveyresearch NULL.org/projects/KSRA_2008/reports/SanMateoCounty_SchoolReadinessAssessment2008-FinalReport NULL.pdf), 2008. Page 54
This core set of skills reflects the five dimensions of readiness articulated by the National Education Goals Panel.

June 21  is Summer Learning Day (http://www NULL.sfgate NULL.com/cgi-bin/blogs/jpeck/detail?entry_id=91219)

This national advocacy day is a great opportunity to showcase summer reading programs and get the word out about the importance of continued learning. (http://www NULL.summerlearning NULL.org/?page=summer_learning_day)

Summer learning programs:

• help participants maintain and advance academic and developmental growth
• support working families
• keep children safe and healthy
• send young people back to school ready to learn

We Salute Dads that READ!

(http://www NULL.rarbayarea NULL.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Father-and-daughter-reading-Abuela NULL.jpg)

Check out these fantastic sites!

• Book Dads (http://www NULL.guysread NULL.com/)
• Guys Read (http://www NULL.guysread NULL.com/)
• Read Aloud Dad (http://www NULL.readalouddad NULL.com/)

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June is Pride Month

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We know that families come in different colors and sizes. They are headed by single parents, extended family members, are multiracial, adoptive or gay or lesbian parents. At storytime we make room for everyone in the circle! Click on the book covers below to learn more about each title.

(http://www NULL.lesleakids NULL.com/felicia NULL.html)

(http://www NULL.lesleakids NULL.com/mommy NULL.html)

(http://www NULL.toddparr NULL.com/books/)

(more…)