National Library Week Is April 10-16

Make Plans to Celebrate National Library Week

Libraries are places for new beginnings.  Whether you are getting your first library card, learning new computer skills, or planning a trip, the library is the place where your story begins. This National Library Week, join our nation’s libraries and librarians and Create your own story @ your library. 

National Library Week is an annual celebration of the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians. All types of libraries--school, public, academic, and special--participate! Visit your local library today to find out what special events they have planned!

Acclaimed author John Grisham is the Honorary Chair of National Library Week. Click here to watch a video of Grisham explaining the value of libraries.

Teens! Make a Video and Help Win Money for Your Library!

Gather your friends and put together an original 1-3 minute video about why you need your library.  Up to six people can work together to submit a video. You can pick your technique. Entries can be live-action, animation, machinima, or a combination of these. Upload the video to YouTube before midnight April 18, 2011.

Entries can be submitted in two age categories: 13-15 and 16-18. Three 3rd place winners will receive $1,000 each for their selected libraries. Two second place winners will receive $2,000 each for their selected libraries.  One winner or group of winners will receive $3,000 for their selected library, plus $50 gift cards to an online bookseller for each individual member of the winning group (limit of 6 participants per group).

Learn more about the video contest at ILoveLibraries.org.

In Case You Missed It!

Federal Aid for Most Literacy Programs Eliminated

In the article "Budget Cuts Raise Questions About Federal Commitment to Literacy,"  Education Week writer Erik W. Robelen writes, "The elimination of most federal aid for literacy programs at the U.S. Department of Education is raising new questions about the future of the federal commitment to promoting literacy, a role that’s had a bumpy ride in recent years.

Even though some of the more than $350 million in cuts to those programs this month could be reversed, as Congress and the White House wrangle over the budget, some education advocates say the Obama administration doesn’t seem to treat the issue as a high priority. The president himself has devoted far more public attention to the so-called STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as he did once again when visiting a Boston public school last week."

Read the complete article (published March 14) on EdWeek.org.  

Take Action! 

The federal budget is not yet complete. You can make your voice heard and share your thoughts on our nation's educational priorities for our young people. Contacting your congressmen and senators is easy. Go to the online directories for the House of Representatives and the Senate to quickly find contact information for the congressmen and senators in your state and district. And visit WhiteHouse.gov to send a direct email to President Obama.

The Citizen Writer Challenge is ON!

New Writing Contest Emphasizes Civics, Citizenship, and Communities

Reading Rockets and AdLit.org are back with a new writing contest! Citizen Writer offers great writing prompts with connections to civics, citizenship, and our communities.  

This year's contest challenges students to think and learn more about America's people, places, and ideals as they write. To inspire maximum creativity, four very different kinds of writing prompts are being offered, each designed to match students' interests and stretch their creative skills. For kids who enjoy visualizing their ideas, the mapmaking challenge could be a perfect fit; or, if you have students gifted in music and poetry, they might want to try the songwriting and verse challenge. As always, each prompt includes links to helpful background resources.

There are four grade levels for entries:

Level I: K-grade 2

Level II: grades 3-5

Level III: grades 6-8

Level IV: grades 9-12

Prize winners will have their work published on ReadingRockets.org and AdLit.org and will receive a gift basket of age-appropriate books and a personalized certificate.

All contest entries must be received by April 30, 2011.

Begin Your Research with Our White House!
To get your young writers in the spirit for the contest, be sure to check out the excellent resources on civic education at OurWhiteHouse.org. This educational website is a companion to the remarkable book Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out, created by the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance and published by Candlewick Press. 

Our White House is designed to encourage young people to read more about America’s rich history and culture; to think more about America’s future; to talk more about our nation’s leadership; and to act on their own beliefs and convictions, ensuring this great democratic experiment will survive and thrive. The illustrations, essays, short stories, presidential letters, personal reflections, and historical accounts in Our White House inform and entertain, offering a window on more than 200 years of American history. Our White House is available in both hardcover and paperback. The new paperback edition features a NEW poem by Nikki Grimes about President Obama’s inauguration!

Celebrate World Read Aloud Day March 9th

Share the Power of Words and Stories on World Read Aloud Day,
March 9, 2011

Nearly 1 billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their name. What would you miss most if you could not read or write? Imagine your world without words.

To address the challenge of global illiteracy, the nonprofit literacy organization LitWorld invites people around the world to participate in World Read Aloud Day by reading aloud with loved ones and friends. For a list of reading activities, check out LitWorld's Activities for Children and Teens, which include poem and book activities for all age ranges.

World Read Aloud Day celebrates the power of words, especially those words that are shared from one person to another. The goal is to create a community of readers advocating for every child’s right to a safe education and access to books and technology. A highlight of LitWorld's World Read Aloud Day is a 24-hour read-aloud marathon in Times Square.

The National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance believes that every person has the right to read. In a free society, this includes the right to choose what one shall read. Learn more and discover additional resources and related links on our Right to Read page.

Conference for Teachers and Librarians to be Held at JFK Library

Crossing Borders Through Literature, Poetry, and Personal Stories Conference to be Held April 7, 2011

Crossing Borders is a conference for classroom teachers, grades 3-8, and school librarians, to be held April 8 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

President Kennedy’s stirring call to service at his inauguration and his launch of the Peace Corps shortly thereafter inspired a new sense of global citizenship on the part of many Americans, especially young people. As we mark the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps in 2011, this conference focuses on how to connect today’s students with the world beyond our borders. 

Guest speakers include award-winning authors Alma Flor Ada, Naomi Shihab Nye, Linda Sue Park and James Rumford. Also featured on the program are educators from the Peace Corps’ World Wise Schools program, which provides a treasure trove of free classroom resources to help students learn about the people, geography and cultures of countries around the globe through the stories and experiences of Peace Corps volunteers. 

This conference is presented in cooperation with the John F. Kennedy National Historic Site.

Click the link below for more information:

www.jfklibrary.org/Education/Teachers/Professional-Development.aspx

Note: The deadline for conference registration has been extended to March 21.

Activist Alert!

National Survey Finds 69 Percent of Voters Oppose Congressional Elimination of Government Funding for Public Broadcasting

 

Americans across the political spectrum see PBS and Public Television stations as highly trusted and an excellent taxpayer value.

A national survey undertaken by the bipartisan polling firms of Hart Research and American Viewpoint indicates overwhelming public opposition (69% to 27%) to proposals to eliminate government funding of public broadcasting, with voters across the political spectrum opposed to such a cut, including 83% of Democrats, 69% of Independents, and 56% of Republicans. More than two-thirds (68%) of voters say that Congressional budget cutters should “find other places in the budget to save money.”

Read more about the survey results.

PBS Children's Programming Needs Your Support!

Take Action NOW!

 

The House recently passed a Continuing Resolution (H.R. 1), which eliminated federal funding for public broadcasting. Please contact your senators NOW and ask them to save federal funding for public broadcasting. 

 

Contacting your Congressmen and senators is easy!  Click here for a congressional directory that enables you to quickly find the congressmen and senators for your state and district. This page provides a direct email form, as well as phone and fax numbers. Please write, email, call, or fax your message today and let our leaders know the exceptional value of PBS programming for our nation's children. 

 

Learn more about how you can make your voice heard at  170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting.

Let's Read America!

It's Read Across America Day!

In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, take a moment to pick up a book and share a story with the young people in your life! Why not make a trip to your local library, where you can check out books by Dr. Seuss and a treasure trove of other great authors for kids?

Parents and guardians, be sure to take a look at Reading Rockets' new printable  family literacy bag, which features Dr. Seuss' book The Lorax and Gail Gibbons' Tell Me, Tree. 

The Lorax tells the story of how the greedy Oncle-ler hacks down Truffula trees in order to make Thneeds, a rather frivolous item that he believes everyone needs. The Lorax disagrees and tries to reason with the Once-ler to get him to see the consequences of his actions on the environment, but is ignored and the Lorax himself must flee when all is destroyed. In Tell Me, Tree, we learn how to identify different kinds of trees as well as the parts of a tree, inside and out. The book also discusses the important roles trees play in our lives.

Also, you won't want to miss the extensive literacy articles and reading lists available on the website of the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance. In this gold mine of resources are the Parent and Guardian Handbook, Teacher Handbook, and Mentor Handbook, which include ideas, suggestions, and activities for parents, guardians, teachers, and other adults who lives and work with young people to help children become lifelong readers and writers. Be sure to read "Parent and Guardian Literacy Basics," "Teachers! Set the Stage for Great Writing," and "Attention Coaches, Youth Conselors, and Mentors: Great Ideas Connecting Kids to Books."

The NEA's Read Across America Is Wednesday, March 2

On March 2, the National Education Association calls for every child to be reading in the company of a caring adult.

Grab Your Hat and Read with the Cat!
It's that time of year again, time to gear up for NEA's Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss's birthday on March 2. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries,  community centers, and families participate by celebrating the joys of reading with young people of all ages!

 All adults who live and work with children will want to take a look at the Random House Read Across America resources page featuring a teacher's guide, activities, games, and so much more. Head to Seussville for a Seussational reading adventure! 

 

Dr. Seuss Literacy Materials on ReadingRockets.org

Be sure to check out the extensive Read Across America resources available at ReadingRockets.org. Here you will find a video interview with Mrs. Seuss, e-cards and bookmarks, resources for reading Seuss at home, plus resources for teaching Seuss in the classroom!

Beyond Green Eggs and Ham: Reading Tips and Resources Created by the NCBLA
You won't want to miss the extensive literacy articles and reading lists available on the website of the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance. In this treasure trove are the Parent and Guardian Handbook, Teacher Handbook, and Mentor Handbook, which include ideas, suggestions, and activities for parents, guardians, teachers, and other adults who lives and work with young people to help children become lifelong readers and writers. Be sure to read "Parent and Guardian Literacy Basics," "Teachers! Set the Stage for Great Writing," and "Attention Coaches, Youth Conselors, and Mentors: Great Ideas Connecting Kids to Books."

Reading Resources in Parenting Magazine
The March issue of Parenting Magazine features a spotlight on NEA's Read Across America and provides a host of reading resources for parents, including The Guide to Raising an Early Reader; The Best Books to Read with Your Kids; 5 Easy Ways to Make Reading Fun; 12 Reading Activities That Really Work, and The Best Books to Pass On to Your Kids. For new parents, Parenting offers tips on building your baby's first library, and books for preschoolers.

Happy Presidents' Day!

Use Today's Holiday to Learn More About Our Presidents 

Read, Research, Question, Learn!
Rich resources abound to help you share information about America's presidents with the young people in your life. Delve deeper into America's past in the NCBLA's art and literature anthology Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out. The illustrations, essays, short stories, presidential letters, personal reflections, and historical accounts in Our White House inform and entertain, offering a window on more than 200 years of American history. 
Our White House is available in both hardcover and paperback. The new paperback edition features a NEW poem by Nikki Grimes about President Obama’s inauguration!
 

Free Resources in OurWhiteHouse.org!

The companion educational website to Our White House (OurWhiteHouse.org) hosts a vast array of resources to make learning more about our presidents and history fun. Here are just a few:

"The Eloquence of Silent Cal," a profile of President Calvin Coolidge by Katherine Paterson.

"Presidential Menageries: George Washington, Hound Dogs, and Super Mules," a history of our first president's passion for animals by Mary Brigid Barrett.

"Presidents, the President’s House, and More: A Select List of Books (and a Few Web Sources) for Children and Young Adults," an extensive list of book and website recommendations by children's literature expert Maria Salvadore.

"Presidents Are People Too!" and "Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My" both by Heather Lang. 

"A Taste of the Past: White House Kitchens, Menus, and Recipes," a look at White House kitchens and menus by Mary Brigid Barrett.

"The Oval Office: The World's Most Famous Office" by Geri Zabela Eddins.

Additional Online Resources!
Keep in touch with the Obama presidency at WhiteHouse.org

Read about the meaning of Presidents' Day on Wonderopolis.org. 

Check out the vast resources available on the Smithsonian's History Explorer website! Featured today is the history of George Washington's uniform. 

Review classroom activities and resources in "Great Presidents" on Thinkfinity.org.