Past Issues

Past issues:

Below is last month's issue of the Reading Rockets newsletter. You can read other past issues by clicking the links to the right. Click to read the current issue.

September 2009

Early Screening

Highlights in this issue:

Find links to past issues here.

In Focus: Early Screening

Building Bridges

Open and frequent two-way communication is key to developing solid school-family partnerships. Discover simple and personal ways to reach out to your students' families.
Read more >

Is It a Reading Disorder or Developmental Lag?

The research shows that it's critically important for parents to seek help as early as possible if they observe that their child is struggling with reading. The longer you wait to get help, the harder it will be for your child to catch up. Schools and teachers play a central role, too - they should implement screening tools that emphasize phonemic awareness skills and begin screening kids in kindergarten.
Read more >

Teaching Reading: 10 Ways to Support ELLs in Your Classroom

Teaching reading to English language learners may seem daunting, but the good news is that you don't have to learn an entirely new method. You can and should use what you already know to be effective, research-based reading instruction. These 10 tips can fit naturally into the context of your everyday teaching.
Read more >

See related articles on our sister site, Colorín Colorado:
Supporting ELLs in the Mainstream Classroom >

The Development of Phonological Skills

Basic listening skills and "word awareness" are critical precursors to phonological awareness. Learn the milestones for acquiring phonological skills in this excerpt from Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) by Louisa Moats.
Read more >

Books & Authors

America the Beautiful: Books About Our National Parks

Glide down the "slow river that gleamed like quicksilver" with an Indian storyteller to discover the origins and fragility of Florida's mysterious Everglades. Or tag along with the postman who delivers mail — by mule train — to the Havasupai at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. This eclectic booklist is an introduction to the fascinating history and profound beauty of our National Parks.
Browse booklist >

A Life of Magical Writing: An Interview with Sid Fleischman

Newbery winner Sid Fleischman has a conjuror's way with words. Before he ever took pen to paper to write his wonderful and original tall tales (By the Great Horn Spoon), mysteries (The 13th Floor), and biographies (Escape: The Story of the Great Houdini), Fleischman was a sleight-of-hand master, a magician in a traveling vaudeville troupe! In this interview, Fleischman talks about why books matter to kids, his "mosaic-like" approach to writing non-fiction, and why he keeps a journal of curious names.
Watch video >

¡Celebre! Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic culture revolves around the family, with a rich tradition of music, dance, and storytelling. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 with these games, activities, and book lists from our bilingual sister site, Colorín Colorado.
Go Hispanic Heritage Month resources >

Classroom Strategies

Word Maps

Word maps are visual organizers that support vocabulary development by giving students different ways to develop their own understanding of a word. Typical prompts include:

What is it?
What's it like?
What are some examples?

See real-world examples of how word maps can be used for language arts, math, science, and social studies.
Go to strategy >

Ideas for Teachers

Advice from Veteran Teachers

Browse this comprehensive library of tips and resources from veteran teachers on classroom organization, lesson planning, behavior management, working with parents, and more.
Go to website >

New P.O.V. Film: The Principal Story

The Principal Story tells two stories, painting a dramatic portrait of the challenges facing America's public schools — and of the great difference a dedicated principal can make. Tresa Dunbar is a second-year principal at Chicago's Nash Elementary, where 98% of students come from low-income families; in Springfield, Illinois, Kerry Purcell has led Harvard Park Elementary, with similar demographics, for six years. The Principal Story takes the viewer along for an emotional ride that reveals what effective educational leadership looks like in the 21st century. National premiere: September 15
Go to website >

Ideas for Parents

What Should I Read Next?

"Excuse me, I've just finished reading ___________________, by _______________. What should I read next?" With Book Seer, you can help your kids find just the right book, with links to Amazon and Library Thing.
Start searching >

Mad Libs!

Have fun building vocabulary. "Old school" Mad Libs are now online.
Start playing >

Research & News

Achievement Gap in Babies?

A new study suggests that cognitive gaps between poor and middle class children show up as early as 9-24 months — and that income and the mother's education are the two biggest risk factors. The report, Disparities in Early Learning and Development: Lessons from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, recommends very early intervention for at-risk kids (starting at birth), as well as initiatives to support high school and college graduation programs for the parents an d professional development for at-home child care providers.
Read full report >

It's possible a pencil points,
but does a lemon drop?
Does coffee break or chocolate kiss,
and will a soda pop?
I share my milk with drinking straws,
my meals with chewing gum,
and should I see my pocket change,
I'll hear my kettle drum.

— from Jack Prelutsky's I Wave Good-bye When Butter Flies

Newsletter editors: Joanne Meier and Tina Chovanec