Readingrockets.org Launches Two New Blogs

Washington, D.C. (Nov. 15, 2006) – ReadingRockets.org will launch two new Web logs ("blogs") to help parents and teachers find the best strategies to help children become better readers. Maria Salvadore, children's literature expert, will write about books and suggest ways to use and enjoy them. Joanne Meier, Ph.D., literacy expert, will write about the latest research on reading and writing and how to translate the findings into everyday practices in school and at home. The blogs will debut in January 2007 on ReadingRockets.org

"Blogs are an efficient way to make information accessible to a wide range of people," says ReadingRockets.org executive director Noel Gunther. "We have some of the top literacy experts in the industry working with us. We thought the informal nature of blogging would be a great way for them to share their expertise in a welcoming, user-friendly way."

The children's literature blog will make the most of reading time by helping teachers and parents find good, relevant books. With specific suggestions, book lists and links, Salvadore will outline easy ways to incorporate the books' themes into classroom curriculum and at-home reading.

"I'm looking for ways to bring books to life and to start a conversation over books," said Salvadore. "My goal is to point teachers and parents to the best books available and the best way to use them to help children see the immediate value of reading to create lifelong readers and learners."

The literacy blog will help parents and teachers make sense of the latest research and best classroom and home practices on reading. Full of anecdotes and examples, Meier will illustrate simple ways to use research-based practices in everyday reading activities in the classroom and at home.

"I see reading from multiple perspectives," said Meier. "Being a mother of two emergent readers and having a professional background as a reading specialist and researcher gives me a chance to see the issues from both the parent's and teacher's view. Everyday I'm confronted with something to do with reading."

The blogs complement the podcast and video offerings of ReadingRockets.org. Audio and video podcasts can be downloaded to an iPod, computer or other device through Google Video, iTunes and Open Media Network (OMN).

Current podcast offerings include ReadingRockets.org exclusive author and illustrator interviews and In the Classroom video clips of best practices for reading instruction. All podcast offerings can also be viewed by video streaming, which provides a lower quality image, but doesn't require space for downloading.

Maria Salvadore is ReadingRockets.org's children's literature editor. She is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland, reviewer for School Library Journal and Capitol Choices, and former member of the American Library Association's Notable Children's Book Committee. She was previously coordinator of children's services for the District of Columbia Public Library system and Cambridge (MA) Public Library. She is the co-author with Susan Hepler of Books Kids Will Talk About.

Dr. Joanne Meier provides research guidance for ReadingRockets.org and has more than 15 years of experience in the field of early childhood education. Dr. Meier served on the faculty at the University of Virginia where she trained reading specialists and future classroom teachers. Dr. Meier also co-authored three Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) instruments and has conducted research and published in several professional journals. Dr. Meier is a co-author of the Phonics Friends series.

ReadingRockets.org is part of an ongoing WETA initiative that uses television, the Internet, print, and outreach to disseminate research-based information about teaching young children how to read. ReadingRockets.org is funded primarily by a major grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. ReadingRockets.org's most recent television documentary is the 2006 episode of the Launching Young Readers series, Reading and the Brain, hosted by Henry Winkler.

ReadingRockets.org sister sites include LDOnline.org, the world's leading Web site on learning disabilities and ADHD; and ColorinColorado.org, the first major, comprehensive bilingual Web site for Spanish-speaking families and teachers of English Language Learners.

WETA is the third-largest program producer in the public television system and the flagship public broadcaster in the nation's capital. Among WETA's productions, co-productions and presentations are Washington Week with Gwen Ifill and National Journal and The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. WETA is co-producer of documentaries by filmmaker Ken Burns, including The Civil War, JAZZ and Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson. Burns's next production, The War, comes to PBS in 2007. Sharon Percy Rockefeller is president and CEO of WETA. For more information on WETA and its programs, visit weta.org.

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