Kick off the year by launching young readers! Use the READING ROCKETS website for ideas that promote a passion for reading. Go to http://www.readingrockets.org/.
Launched over a decade ago by WETA, Reading Rockets is a multimedia literacy initiative focusing on how children learn to read and ways adults can help support young readers. Supported through grants from the U.S. Department of Education, Corporation for Public Broadcasting and others, the website provides free, evidence-based information about reading.
The Teaching Reading section explores literacy topics, reading strategies, and resources to help beginning readers succeed.
The Helping Struggling Reader section features ideas for working with struggling readers.
The Reading Topics A-Z section provides a rich collection of research-based information and best-practices associated with reading.
The Children’s Book & Authors section contains endless resources on children’s books and authors including author studies, video interviews, themed and summer booklists, nonfiction book ideas, selection suggestions, buying guides, and activities.
The Research, Guides and Resources section includes an extensive collection of reports, guides, and directories that are useful in professional development and grant writing.
The Librarian section at http://www.readingrockets.org/audi…/professionals/librarians provides topics of particular interest to teacher librarians such as the Common Core, children’s books, and authors.
With themes from gardening to robots, the Reading Adventure Packs for Families at http://www.readingrockets.org/…/reading-adventure-packs-fam… pair themed fiction and nonfiction books with interactive activities. Consider creating these packs for circulation in your library.
Use the E-Cards for Readers activity at http://www.readingrockets.org/books/fun/ecards to involve youth in sharing their passion for reading with others using images from favorite children’s book illustrators.
To extend the experience, join the Reading Rockets Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, and iTunes Podcasts social media resources.
