Dictionary DinnerSouthside Elementary School Buffalo, New York Garfield might have been on the cover of the book that third- and fourthgrade students received in the Southside Elementary cafeteria one evening last fall, but they weren’t about to sit down and read the funnies. Each student attending the event received a Merriam-Webster Illustrated Garfield Dictionary, given to promote literacy. More... Linda Helmbrecht, ATP Member 716-816-4818 Type 4 | Elementary Grades| Literacy |
Hamburger Writing ModelFrancis Mallory Elementary Hampton, Virginia Parents and students sat at a table filled with buns, beef patties, ketchup, mustard, pickles and more, while a teacher gave instructions on how to assemble the ingredients. But they weren’t preparing for careers in the fast-food industry. These families at Francis Mallory Elementary School were actually learning how to write an effective essay with help from the hamburger. The dinnertime workshop, organized by the school’s Title I reading specialists, gave parents a heads-up on how writing is taught, and how they might help their children at home. More... Wanda Adams, ATP Facilitator 757-896-5789 wadams@sbo.hampton.k12.va.us Type 4 | Elementary Grades| Literacy |
''I Love to Read'' Library Field TripEarly Childhood Center Chaska, Minnesota “Mom, my school came here!” By “here”, the eager kindergartener meant the public library, where the Early Childhood Center (ECC) bused its 650 kindergarteners in honor of the district’s “I Love to Read” Month. There, they got their own library cards, and books for their parents to read to them. Because of the varying reading skills and diverse backgrounds of the students, the ECC’s Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) organized the field trip to expose 5- and 6-year-olds to a wonderful source of reading materials and other services. More... Jill Anderson, Parent Involvement Coordinator 952-368-9585 jill_anderson1@yahoo.com Type 6 | Elementary Grades| Literacy |
Literacy LuncheonJohn W. Raper School Cleveland, Ohio While summer is traditionally a time for taking a vacation from teachers, books, and homework, parents at the John W. Raper School wanted ways to help their children maintain the skills they learned during the year while on their break. In response, the school’s family liaison invited parents to a Literacy Luncheon in May to provide strategies for supporting learning after school ends for the year. More... Deborah Bell, Family Liaison 216-421-1922 Deborah.Bell@cmsdnet.net Type 4 | Elementary Grades| Literacy |
Opening Windows to WritingRanch View Elementary School Naperville, Illinois The students became teachers—for a night—at Ranch View Elementary School. And their parents became the students as they spent an evening getting acquainted with how the youngsters learn to write. Through a PowerPoint presentation starring its students and teachers, the school conducted “Opening Windows to Writing,” a session on the Six Traits Writing Process. More... Karen Currier, Principal 630-420-6575 kcurrier@ncusd203.org Type 4 | Elementary Grades| Literacy |
Partner BreakfastsLiteracy, Inc. New York, New York Come for breakfast, but don’t expect to sit back and ease into the day if your host is Literacy, Inc. (LINC) of New York City. This organization calls its Partner Breakfasts working gatherings, but the work often resembles play. Playing games, playing new roles—and all the while working to build and improve programs for young readers. More... Marrakech Arbuckle, Data & Communications Coordinator 212-620-5462 marbuckle@lincnyc.org Type 5 | Organization| Literacy |
ReadapaloozaOrchard Hills School Milford, Connecticut For one week in the middle of each year, students at Orchard Hills School recharge their batteries and lift their energy level by celebrating reading and writing with Readapalooza. During this week, students, teachers, and parents engage in activities that range from themed lunches and dressing up as storybook characters to visits from local authors and the publishing of students’ written work. More... Diane Zanghi, ATP Chair 203-283-3560 dczanghi@aol.com Type 3 | Elementary Grades| Literacy |
The Together ProgramP.S. 280 New York, New York Located in a high-poverty area, within walking distance of several shelters, P.S. 280 decided to close the achievement gap by inviting the parents of all kindergarteners and first graders into the classroom. Through the Together Program, students and their families learned math and literacy using music, dance, art, cooking, and storytelling. More... Fran Hertzberg, Assistant Principal 201-767-9022 hertzberg1@verizon.net Type 4 | Elementary Grades| Literacy |
Weekend Family Packet ProgramKentucky Elementary School Cleveland, Ohio Kentucky Elementary School helped parents take an active role in their children’s education through the Weekend Family Packet Program. Each weekend, students in grades 3-5 brought home a packet of work that they could complete with a family partner. The worksheets reinforced skills covered in class the previous week. On Monday, students returned their completed packets and received a reward from their teacher. At the end of the program, the school honored participating families in a special ceremony, which included taking pictures of each family and posting them in the school for everyone to see. More... Antoinette Dozier, Parent Club President 216-631-3310 moustyvi@cmsdnet.net Type 4 | Elementary Grades| Literacy |