Read+A+Million+Words+Seattle!

To support Seattle Public Schools (SPS) Academic Vision*, and our commitment to literacy, all of our students are invited to read one million words this year! The idea is a simple one – to challenge students to read a million words per year, and to encourage reading for pleasure. All types of reading encouraged, including newspapers, magazines, books, comics, websites, and digital text.

This program sprang from one in Denver and is based on research which shows that students reading 40 minutes a day averaged academic achievement in the 90th percentile; students reading 12 minutes a day were in the 50th percentile; And, students reading two minutes a day were down at the 10th percentile. Their conclusion is a tad obvious: Children become better readers by reading, and reading helps children learn. The goal of teachers and parents should, therefore, be to give students every opportunity and encouragement to read…A million words worth!

To get started visit: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/readamillion/ram_student.html Site includes student and family support including: “How much is a million” aimed at kids, on-line reading log, word-o-meter (calculate number of words per book), more.

As Arbor heights students reach the million word mark - they will get a certificate of acheivement that will hang in the lobby at school and the idea of prizes will be explored. If you would like to coordinate this activity, see a PTA board member.


 * Additional Resources:**

[|http://www.pnla.org] Pacific Northwest Librarians Association lists “Young Reader’s Choice” Annual Award (YRCA) nominees and winners.

[|http://www.kidsreads.com] book reviews, activities and author bios

http://renlearn.com/store teacher resource site and book store that offers 65 different recommended reading lists and includes reading level recommendations.

http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/piopresskits/lcsignuppresskit/alaresources.htm librarian site contains parent resources, award winning book lists, recommendations, banned and challenges book lists (Banned Book week was celebrated Sept 29-Oct 6) Examples of banned books for young readers: //In a Dark, Dark Room//, by Alvin Schwartz, //The Stupids Step Out//, by Harry Allard, //Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People// by Dav Pilkey, //It's Perfectly Normal//, by Robie Harris.

http://atn-reading-lists.wikispaces.com Collaborative librarian-led wiki with over 1400 Specialty Lists, Book talk information for many books, including interest level and reading level indexed by author and title.

http://kids.nypl.org/reading/recommended.cfm New York Public Library best books for kids

http://www.reading.org/resources/tools/choices.html International Reading Assoc. booklists for kids by kids

http://www.readingrockets.org/books/booksbytheme Recommendations by theme. “One of the best ways to interest kids in reading is to encourage them to read about things they are already interested in!” Also includes tips on helping readers who struggle.

http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/lls/library/kids/kids_grade.html book lists by grade level

http://www.tip.duke.edu/resources/parents_students/book_list.html Duke University – best books for girls, best books for boys.

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/reading_lists.htm reading lists for the gifted reader

http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dKBrown/lists.html University of Calgary site includes Annual best book list, writer’s recommendations, also non-fiction recommendations

[|http://www.hedgehogbooks.com] Retail site that includes teacher recommendations include best read aloud and best read alone, new books listed each week.

http://www.oprah.com/obc/kids/obc_kids_main.jhtml Oprah’s book list for kids

A few final thoughts:

· Encourage reading by setting a good example · Leave a wide variety of reading material out at all times. Tidy bookshelves are nice, kids curled up on the couch with a book in hand are even nicer · Help your kids set reading goals and celebrate with them when those goals are met. · Visit your public library often. · Don’t judge their interests. (read __Captain Underpants__ yourself before commenting //– that is funny stuff!)// · If possible, let your children buy some books of their own. Book ownership is one of the greatest gifts!