September 2021 Newsletter

For Teachers | Back to School | For Parents | STEAM: Bird Buddies | Children's Books & Authors | Events and News

In the Classroom: Resources for Teachers

What Should a Literacy Schedule Look Like?

In this blog post, literacy expert Tim Shanahan says that kids should get between 120-180 minutes per day of reading/writing instruction. The more challenged the kids are, or the greater the learning gains we are seeking, the more time should be devoted to literacy. Students will need instruction in multiple areas: word knowledge, oral reading fluency, writing, and reading comprehension, and offers a “non-block” literacy schedule that accommodates each, while allowing for flexibility.

What Can I Do With All These Predictable Books?

To repurpose predictable books for activities other than reading, we need to look at them with fresh eyes and new criteria.
What are the features of this individual book that make it a useful teaching tool? A single book may have more than one useful feature and it might be repurposed for any number of language development, writing, or art activities.
Literacy coach Margaret Goldberg describes some of the features you might look for in predictable books and example activities to help with lesson planning.

Looking at Reading Interventions

Watch reading expert Linda Farrell works one-on-one with students in grades K-3 to help ensure that they master the skills they need to become proficient readers.

The video series shows what it really takes to teach critical skills such as naming letters accurately, blending and manipulating the sounds in words, mastering the connection between letters and sounds, building fluency, recognizing spelling patterns, and reading multisyllable words. Looking at Reading Interventions shows how teachers can help children develop their skills, overcome difficulties, and become proficient readers.

How to use these videos for professional development
Each video includes a free downloadable Viewer's Guide and Facilitator's Guide to support professional development in your school or district. (Produced in partnership with the National Education Association)

Transitioning from Word Walls to Sound Walls

Sound walls support students with learning those tricky high-frequency words. They also support students in retaining and learning to read unfamiliar words on their own. A sound wall does the work of matching our articulation of speech sounds/phonemes to the letters/graphemes that represent those sounds. Learn more about why you should make the switch from word walls to sound walls.

Related:

Classroom Strategies

Browse our library of effective, research-based strategies for building your students’ skills in print awareness, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing.

Featured Strategy: Anticipation Guide

Go inside Cathy Doyle's second grade classroom in Evanston, Illinois to observe how Cathy uses the anticipation guide strategy to pique her students' interest in the book they are about to read together, Jin Woo by Eve Bunting. Cathy asks questions designed to activate the kids' prior knowledge and to encourage them to make predictions about what they think will happen in the story.

Back to School for Teachers and Families

Who's Who at Your Child’s School

There are many people at your child's school who are there to help your child learn, grow socially and emotionally, and navigate the school environment. You might want to keep this list handy all year long!

Listen and Look at Back-to-School Night

Back-to-school night is a great opportunity for families to learn more about their child's school and teacher. Here are some signs to look for that indicate your child is in a place where good reading instruction can take place. (In English and Spanish)

Learn more:

A Guide to Reopening Your Classroom for Students with Special Needs

This free guide from Bookshare is full of expert tips that teachers can use in the classroom, as well as for virtual learning.

English Learner Resources from Colorín Colorado

Face Masks, Communication, and Language Development

Literacy and Learning: Ideas for Parents

How to Support Your Child's Social–Emotional Health

New from our sister site, Colorín Colorado, these tips for families offer ideas on supporting and monitoring their child's social-emotional wellness throughout the year. These tips are available in English and Spanish, with more languages to come soon!

Reading 101: A Guide for Parents

Learn what it takes to become a strong reader and writer — and discover lots of easy literacy-building activities to do with your child at home. (Created in partnership with the National Education Association)

Nonfiction Read Alouds

Nonfiction books give kids a chance to learn new concepts and vocabulary, as well as broaden their view of the world. Learn how to take a "book walk" with a new nonfiction book and model active reading. (in English and Spanish)

See also: The Vocabulary of Science (in English and Spanish)

Weather Report!

Uncover some great fiction and nonfiction books about rain, wind, and big storms; tornado poetry (and other writing prompts); kid-friendly weather apps; and a set of easy hands-on activities. Keep a weather diary, cook up some kitchen snowflakes, explore the wind, create your own magical rainstick, and more.

See all 24 kid-friendly topics at Start with a Book

Bird Buddies!

A Book-Based STEAM Adventure

The fall bird migration has begun … and kids may be noticing new bird activity in their backyards, on local nature rambles, and in the sky. To help children learn more about these fascinating creatures and their habits, check out our free Bird Buddies toolkit, full of book recommendations, hands-on activities, writing ideas — and even a daily bird walk guide!

Related blog posts:

Children’s Books & Authors

Stories for Hispanic Heritage Month

Browse this rich collection of picture books for children. You'll meet writers, artists, musicians, activists, a Supreme Court justice — and others who've made a difference through their creativity and work. You'll also discover stories about families, and everyday life in Hispanic communities, as well as books about joyful festivals and holidays. We've also included some favorite folktales and beautiful poetry inspired by unique cultures, family traditions, and the landscape. See Book Finder for more titles!

Related:
Bird House: a blog post (and craft idea!) from author and illustrator Blanca Gómez

NEA’s Read Across America 2021-22 Calendar Is Here!

Each month, Read Across America features three books — one each for young, middle grade, and YA readers — that explore a topic related to diversity and inclusion. Each title includes activity suggestions, questions for discussion or reflective writing, related resources, and more titles to try. Check out the online calendar to see what's in store! And take a look at book clubs as a new way to inspire year-round participation in Read Across America.

Nonfiction for Kids

Children are naturally fascinated by the lives of real people and the natural world around them. And building background knowledge is key to children's academic success. Our resources can help you find great nonfiction picture books and offer tips on how to get the most out of reading nonfiction. Nonfiction can sometimes turn a reluctant reader into an enthusiastic one!
Related article: Five Kinds of STEM-themed Nonfiction Books for Kids

Events and News

Library of Congress National Book Festival (Virtual)
Open a Book. Open the World.
September 17-26, 2021
Create your National Book Festival experience with the Library of Congress in 2021 by engaging in author conversations online, watching the PBS Books special, listening to an NPR podcast series and attending a ticketed event at the Library. Levar Burton will be hosting the National Book Festival Broadcast on PBS!

Rebalancing with Tech in the 'New Normal'
Children’s Health Council
September 28, 2021

Differentiated Instruction: Aligning Assessment and Management of Your Intervention Block to Reflect a Science of Reading Classroom
Voyager Sopris EdView360
September 30, 2021

The Reading League Annual Conference (Virtual)
The Science of Reading: Now More Than Ever
October 13, 2021

IDA Annual Conference (Hybrid)
Reading, Literacy and Learning: Advancing Every Classroom Through the Science
October 21-23, 2021 | Charlotte, NC

Rethinking Writing Instruction (Webinar host: Steve Graham)
International Literacy Association
November 3, 2021

Summer Changes Everything (In person)
National Summer Learning Association
November 8-10, 2021 | Washington DC

Opinion: We Know How to Teach Kids to Read
The New York Times

I’m a kindergarten teacher and the way I've been teaching reading is wrong
Today's Parent

How coaches for teachers could improve reading instruction, close early academic gaps
Hechinger Report

How Parents Can Set Their Kids Up For Success This School Year
Worth

Here’s One Way to Improve Students’ Reading Scores: Get Them Eyeglasses
Education Week

Learning Academic Vocabulary Through Lunchtime Chats, Hands-On Activities, and Complex Texts
International Literacy Association

Remembering the Pioneers: Arnold Adoff, Floyd Cooper, Eloise Greenfield, and Bernette G. Ford
School Library Journal

How to design a public play space where kids practice reading and STEM skills
The Conversation

29 Picture Books to Celebrate the Latinx Experience
School Library Journal

Sounds and Words Processed Separately but Simultaneously
Language Magazine

Back-to-School Strategies to Address Student Communication Losses
ASHA Leader