Miller College Youth Author’s Project
Kids at St. Joseph Elementary in Battle Creek are participating in a special writing workshop sponsored by Miller College. Check it out along with photos of incredible kids sent in by our amazing Facebook fans.
Reading
Reading Advice for Parents
Maranda met with a speech therapist from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and got advice for parents on the best way to read to your kids.
Reading Volunteers at Moon Elementary
First graders at Moon Elementary have a special group of readers that visit on a daily basis to read to students.
Goodwill E-Books Program
Goodwill is a great place to buy books for your family. In fact, they have over 4,000 to choose from online at shopgoodwill.com.
Reading Fun at SWCC
Maranda recently participated in the Southwest Community Campus Guest Reading Day. She took along her Maranda-Cam to capture some of the fun.
Making Reading Fun
From a young age my daughter, Sophia, has loved to have books read to her. I can remember as a toddler her crawling up onto my lap with book after book to read. Even now, one of her favorite weekend activities is going to the library on Saturday mornings to pick out a new selection of books (dog, cat or ponies are her fave) for the week. For Sophia it’s not just sitting down and reading one book, but she’ll want to read, read and read some more. Sometimes, the television seems so tempting after book number ten, but then I think about all the benefits that I’m giving my daughter by reading to her.
Research shows that kids who are read to regularly do better in school and develop a love of reading as they get older. This weekend our show is all about literacy and the importance of reading in our children’s lives.
Maranda recently came across this reading quiz and passed it along to me. I think it’s a great checklist to use when reading with your kids. It’s helped me become a more active and engaged reader with Sophia and I hope it helps you too.
Answer yes or no to the questions below and see if you’re making reading fun for your preschool aged child.
1. Do you pick books that will appeal to your child?
2. Do you read with enthusiasm? Use different voices for characters and change your tones in exciting ways.
3. Do you discuss what you read? Ask questions, such as, “what do you think will happen next” or “what was your favorite part of the story?”
4. Do you let your child interrupt? It’s good to let kids ask questions and fill in words that they’ve memorized.
Celebrate Reading!
Last week I had the chance to participate in a special reading celebration at Southwest Community Campus in Grand Rapids.
Get Your Kids Hooked on Books
Often times parents find their kids like reading at a young age, but then loose the passion as they get older. Here are some age appropriate tips to raise a kids who loves to read.
Babies – Make reading enjoyable by cuddling on the couch or lying on a pile of pillows for storytime. Opt for books that have pictures of faces, images or primary colors.
Toddlers – Choose picture books with a theme your child likes such as trucks or animals. Don’t limit books to just bedtime, make it a part of your child’s entire day.
Preschoolers – Look for rhyming books to lay the groundwork for learning phonics. As you read to your kids, discuss what’s going on with the story. Consider reading a series so your child will grow attached to familiar characters.
School Age-Kids – Even as your kids learn the skill, continue to read with and to them. Expose them to various genres and talk to your kids about what they read.
Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidanmorgan/3537327425/
Schools of Hope Initiative
The Heart of West Michigan United Way is taking action to help more kids meet reading goals. Here is how the “Schools of Hope” program works.
The goal is to close the achievement gap between the highest and lowest performing school districts in Kent County. Recently published information shows that more than 30% of fourth graders in Grand Rapids Public Schools are reading below grade level.
Research shows that reading volunteers can make a difference. That’s why United Way is asking 2,000 people to step up to the challenge and volunteer to help kids learn to read. It only takes 30 minutes a week during the school year and you can transform a child’s life. No prior training or experience is necessary.
High school age students through senior citizens are welcome to volunteer. For more information on this initiative call 616-459-2255 or visit http://www.waybetterunitedway.org/program-soh.php.
West Michigan Literacy Resources
If you or your child is struggling with reading there is help available. All of these programs below work with children and adults to improve reading skills.
Battle Creek Community Literacy Collaborative
269-660-5879
www.itstartswithreading.org
Kalamazoo Literacy Council
269-343-8666
www.kalamazooliteracycouncil.org
Literacy Center of West Michigan
616-459-5151
Project Literacy, Inc. – Muskegon
231-722-6474
Read Muskegon
231-766-5040
www.readmuskegon.org
The WORD Project – Grand Rapids
616-454-4874
Blogs
Maranda's Blog
Keep in step with Maranda as she explores issues affecting your family.
Maranda's Go-To Gal
Insights from the mom who helps Maranda get it all done.
Whitecaps Blog
Whitecaps mascot Crash takes you inside the ballpark.
Cruiser's Blog
Cruiser has the inside track for Craig's Cruisers.
Health & Wellness
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Fifth Third River Bank Run
On pace with the Fifth Third River Bank Run.
Healthy Living
Simple solutions for healthy living.
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