March is Read Across America. How are you committing to literacy this month? 

How many of you have read a book that’s story becomes so engrossing that you cannot put it down? As you turn page after page; your character evolves in a way you never expected.  A great book can magically transform you to a period, place or time that can take your imagination for the ride of it’s life.  

Then they announce the movie release for your beloved book.  You wait with baited breath.  You arrive at the theater an hour early to get good seats.  You have your popcorn, your soda, and a box of your favorite candy.  You are ready. The lights dim and the movie begins.  You watch and compare every twist and turn.  Lights go on and you realize the story is nothing like you imagined.  You leave the theater feeling a bit disappointed.  

The book is always better than the movie is a phrase many utter after watching the movie.  Why?  Because your imagination creates beautiful imagery that cannot be replicated on a large screen.  It can come close and it can even be enjoyable, but it simply does not compare.  

Here’s an idea for March reading month.  Commit to reading books that become movies and then plan to watch them and compare.  Go to http://readit1st.com and make the pledge today.  

Happy Reading!

What if we told you that you could prevent your child from getting hurt?  Would you listen?

Students are at risk every summer of losing what they have learned during the school year.  Did you know that by the end of their fifth grade year, low-income students are approximately 2.5 years behind their middle class and more affluent peers in reading? Students are losing academic achievement simply because they do not pick up a book during the summer months.

This phenomenon is known as summer reading loss, summer reading gap, or summer slide.  This a problem that is more prevalent in lower economic students, but can affect every student.  We, as parents and community members, can battle this problem by making books and reading available to all students.

The affects of summer learning loss include a loss of decoding and fluency skills, decrease in math skills and a general lower academic achievement.  This could also lead to a feeling of failure; raising student dropout rates. 

How do we prevent summer reading loss? There are countless summer reading programs that are free for students.   

Most public libraries run a summer reading program that offers incentives for reading.  This is a fun way to keep kids motivated, plus they will have access to an array of books.   Stop into your local bookstore and participate in reading hour.  Check in with your community center and see what programs they run during the summer that supports literacy.  Don’t be afraid to talk to your child’s school and see what supplemental reading programs they run.  If all else fails, start your own book movement.  People are always willing to share their books or even donate them.  

As a society, we need to support the youth of today, so they can be strong literate thinkers that will help run our country.  Make a commitment to support literacy in your community.  Whether you are a parent or community member get involved in helping. How will you get involved in literacy?

According to Studentsfirst.org, the literacy rates among fourth grade students in America are sobering. In a recent report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, one out of three students scored "below basic" on the 2009 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Reading Test. Among these low performing students, 49 percent come from low-income families. Even more alarming is the fact that more than 67 percent of all US fourth graders scored "below proficient," meaning they are not reading at grade level. 

What are we doing about this crisis?  

One easy solution should be simply reading.  Reading for enjoyment will lead students to success by boosting academic achievement, reducing boredom, increasing their attention span, and improving retention; to name a few benefits.   

We also need to invest in programs like RIF (Reading is Fundamental) http://www.rif.org which is working toward providing books to every child.  Volunteer at your local library.  Go to your local elementary school and volunteer to read once a week.  Create reading opportunities that cross economic boundaries by having a book swap with sister schools.  

March is National Reading Month.  We challenge you to implement one thing to promote reading in your community.  We’d love to hear what you come up with so email us at hello(at)iscream4reading(dot)com.

So, we all like to whine about how our fundraiser isn’t working the way we want it to.  I include myself in this category.  What are we doing to help ourselves?

I just started to listen to podcasts that really open the discussion to real fundraiser issues.  Many are free and allow you to listen while you are on the go, which is great for all of you busy people.   

Tony Marignetti is dedicated to supporting nonforprofits missions.  He’s offering a FREE podcast on itunes http://tony.ma/rMHgO3 and is holding a one hour live radio broadcast tomorrow: Nonprofit Radio, March 1, 2013: Press Pause & Devine Devices.  I would encourage you to take time out of your day to learn more.

So, we’ve heard it over and over again?  My child doesn’t like to read?  Are you the parent that “forces” your child to read through incentives and bribes?  Do you choose their literature?  Does your child see reading as a chore?

Then try these tips.  

http://www.storylineonline.net is a great website that has famous people reading classic books.  This is an easy way to get your child interested in reading if they are a beginner reader or just love to have someone read to them.

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/mobile-app-lists/best-book-apps-kids is a great place to start if you’re interested in using apps to encourage your reader.  Whether their younger and learning their ABC’s or older and into vampires; it’s in interactive way to engage them. 

What about picking up a foreign language?  Encourage your child to read by watching foreign cartoons or movies with subtitles.  This of course, will require that your child is at reading level, but it’s an interesting and fun way to get them into reading.  Who knows maybe they’ll even start reading in a foreign language.  

http://www.readkiddoread.com is a site that was developed by James Patterson.  It is broken into categories and age range.  It focuses more on boys, but really should books be gender specific?  It also offers a virtual bookshelf to keep kids interested.  

http://www.slimekids.com/book-trailers/ is a site that houses book trailers for kids in grades 3 and up.  Hook your kid with a book trailer.  Once they get a glimpse into the story; a trip to the library or bookstore will be on the horizon!

And last, don’t forget there are so many movies that were originally books.  Let’s face it, the book is ALWAYS better!  So, start with The Wizard of Oz, Holes, Mr. Popper’s Pequins, Harry Potter or Star Wars.  The list is endless!  Then watch the movie!

There are so many ways to get our kids excited about reading.  Just try to stay creative and keep reading interesting!