Want to improve students' writing? Fund local libraries
The problem is, books are an expensive luxury for many families who are finding it increasingly difficult just to keep food on the table. That’s why communities need public libraries conveniently located and open every day, and school libraries in every school, with professional librarians to manage them and provide the inspiration to children to become good readers and good writers.
Story-signing Strategies
ASL & English Literacy
Organizations that promote reading
I compiled links to some organization’s websites which sole purpose is to promote reading. I thought it would be helpful for anyone wanting to be more charitable this year but not knowing where to begin. I’ll be adding more links as I come across new websites and I will also be taking suggestions.
Outdoor Libraries Start Lending Books At Closed Branches in Detroit
A class of fourth-graders at Marcus Garvey Academy in Detroit has collaborated to create six outdoor libraries for use by the general public in light of recent branch closings by the Detroit Public Library.
Five of the outdoor libraries opened Wednesday and the sixth will open in June. And best of all, borrowers don’t need a library card and there are no late fees.
Lovely.
Book smugglers bringing ‘banned’ books to Arizona schools
Tucson’s ethnic studies quandary just won’t go away. Months after the school board suspended its Mexican American studies program rather than lose more than $14 million in state aid, a caravan of writers and activists brought an “underground library” to town.
The small but substantial collection of books by Mexican American, Chicano and other minority authors was banished from Tucson classrooms after the board’s January vote.
“We wanted to hand these love letters in the form of books to these students,” said Tony Diaz, a literature professor at Houston Community College, who led the weekend protest. “We’re defending our culture and freedom of speech.”
Diaz coined the term librotraficante, or “book smuggler,” for the movement. Activists started in Houston last week, making stops in Texas and New Mexico along the way to collect books and supporters.
Speaking of Dave Eggers, if for whatever reason you haven’t heard 826, get on board with 826. The original 826 Valencia in San Francisco, founded by Eggers, has been followed by others throughout the U.S. These are volunteer-run non-profit tutoring and writing centers of amazingness. Each location produces it’s own student created publications, visits dozens of local schools with writing tutors, and hosts nightly tutoring for local students.
826CHI (click through) has been an amazing partner to work with. They’ve come in for creative writing workshops, college statement workshops, and even individual meetings with some young writers. They’re also a great community for young/professional writers who are looking to give back, or at least to make the most of their time.
If you’ve got an 826 in your city and you haven’t been there, be there.
All men need to be reading to their children. Find the time. Find any time. Your children need words, and they need them from you. They need to hear and see you use words. They need to hear and see you read.
They’ll learn from you, if you read to them or not. And that’s exactly the point.
(via thelifeguardlibrarian)
National Literacy Trust highlights number of children who don't own a book.
How long before an “I blame eKindles” comment…
Discuss.
