Christina Lorenzo

ED638 Fall Intersession 2018

Dr. Rivera

IRA Newsletter Project:  Effective Literacy Website #1

            ReadingRockets (http://www.readingrockets.org) is a national multi-media literacy website, offering resources and information on how young children learn to read.  This website received the David M. Rubenstein Prize in 2016, a top honors in the Library of Congress Literacy Award Program.  This award honors organizations that work to promote literacy and reading in the United States and worldwide.

            ReadingRockets provides free resources about teaching children to read and how to help struggling readers (a current concern in most educational systems).  In this website, you will find a  wealth of information, such as; articles on teaching reading, classroom strategies, parent tips in 11 languages, in-classroom video’s demonstrating real life strategies, video’s talking with top authors, literacy blog, headlines in what is new in literacy and much more.

            On the homepage navigation bar, there are four main menus, Teaching Reading, Helping Struggling Readers, Reading Topics A-Z and Children’s Books and Authors.  When clicking on these menu’s they open up to an abundance of menu items, which include strategies and resources, professional development and Parental Involvement.  Below the main navigation bar, there are more resources to choose from, research, guides, PBS television programs about reading and early education, which can be viewed online anytime.  A Fun Stuff page to celebrate the joy of reading and writing, with quizzes, reading adventure packs, colorful and fun printable materials and links to games, contest and web widgets.

            In the side bar there are summer activities for children.  One is a book based science adventure for kids to prevent children from loss of learning during the summer break.  This program is called “Start with a Book” (http://www.startwithabook.org)    it offers parents, summer program instructors, librarians and caregivers, engaging ideas to keep children interested in reading, exploring and learning during the summer time.  The free resources from the Start with a Book, builds on children’s interests. For example; dinosaurs, buildings, animals, super heroes and music.  There is a total of 24 kid friendly topics to select from.

            ReadingRockets (www.ReadingRockets.org) is an excellent effective literacy website.  It is free, with a wealth of information and resources and a reprint policy (some restrictions apply) to print and use resources.  It is well organized and easy to navigate with drop down menus.  It is a great tool for educators in all areas, with professional development and video resources demonstrating strategies.  It is also a great resource for parents, with tips on how to help and promote literacy in their homes.  I would recommend this site to teachers and parents, especially for strategies in helping children who are struggling readers.