Launching Summer Readers!
Summer is a perfect time for some free-form learning —
through books, field trips (virtual or real), movies, family adventures, story swapping, and exploring the world right in your own neighborhood. Ask kids what they want to learn this summer…and join them on their journey.
Summer learning, side-by-side >
Summer reading for children with dyslexia >
8 ways to make the most of summer >
For more articles, parent tips, booklists, and creative ways to fill the summer months with reading and learning, visit our Summer Reading section.
Ask the Expert: Dr. Daniel Willingham
If critical thinking depends on deep, interconnected knowledge, then how do kids develop this cache of meaningful information? What can parents and teachers do to help build background knowledge? Here's your chance to ask the expert, Dr. Daniel Willingham, a cognitive psychologist and professor at the University of Virginia, who has written extensively on how children learn.
Read his provocative article Critical Thinking: Why Is It So Hard to Teach? and the article Knowledge in the Classroom — four ways that teachers can build content knowledge to help students make new connections.
Questions can be submitted during the month of June (select "Ask Dr. Willingham" from the dropdown menu). Answers to selected questions will be posted on Reading Rockets — check back in July.
From Our Bookshelf: The Big Summer Read
Ah summer! Spread a blanket out under the trees and enjoy some of the wonderful new books recommended by our children's literature expert, Maria Salvadore. You'll find lots of great nonfiction this year — perfect for piquing a child's curiosity about the world. Download and print the lists (arranged by age), for kids up to 9 years old.
Where the Pages Turn: Our Interview with Marla Frazee
As soon as she learned to read and write, author and illustrator Frazee started making little books. Now she works out of a 12 x 12 studio beneath an avocado tree in her backyard. Her expressive illustrations breathe life into simple stories about real kids — like a baby taking its first wobbly steps, the impetuous Clementine, and two boys who have the best week ever.
Features
Talking Tutoring
Looking for a tutor for your child during the summer or the upcoming school year? Learn about the benefits of tutoring, what to look for in a top-notch program, and why it's important for your child to really connect with his tutor — in our newest webcast, Talking Tutoring.
Developing Teachers for Hard-to-Staff Schools
Research shows that teacher quality is one of the most powerful predictors of student achievement in at-risk schools and that staff stability is critical to long-term school improvement. Find out what you can do as the leader of a hard-to-staff school to recruit and retain your brightest stars, before and after those crucial first days of class.
Help Promote Good Teaching Worldwide!
Dylexia International (DI) is presenting a World Dyslexia Forum in February 2010...and they're looking for your help. DI is asking teachers worldwide to report on good practices for teaching reading and writing.
If you'd like to help, please visit the World Dyslexia Forum website, and click "Good Practice" to access the questionnaire. The U.S. Department of Education has asked Reading Rockets to join this effort by inviting you to complete the survey.
Letters from The White House Writing Contest
We received more than 1,500 entries from young writers in 35 states and our judges have finally made their decisions. Visit the contest page to see the winners' names and to print a certificate of participation, but don't forget to check back early next week to read the winning entries. Thanks and congratulations to everyone who participated!