Access to Books is the Key to Successful Reading Development Kelli Cedo, Virgina Beach Public Schools Michele Stansbury, Baltimore County Schools

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Core Question If you were asked to write a headline about family engagement and literacy that captured the most important aspect that should be remembered, what would that headline be?

Shifting Culture Engagement Get to know your families Encourage consistent contact Give multiple opportunities to participate Attachment Building relationships Reciprocal communication- two people involved Give and take Resources Materials Training

A Focus on Literacy School Access Home Access Questions How do we get more literature in our schools? How do we get more literature in the homes? How do we get schools to engage parents in the literature at school? How do we get families to engage with the literature at home?

Home Library Design Who- Pre-K-5 th Grade What- Literature When- All year long (12 months)

Committees Who know kids the best? Gaps in text availability (genre, levels, etc.) Student interest New types of text available Books for school, home, or both

“My earliest memories are of her (his mother) settling me in the children's room of the local library while she went upstairs to check out the popular novels she loved and then reading those books, sometimes together on the front porch, sometimes curled up on the couch, sometimes along in bed before sleeping” Richard Allington 2013

During the School Year Social/Emotional Themes K- Sharing and feelings 5 th - Being respectful of yourself and others and accepting and appreciating differences.

K Example Feelings- frustration, sadness, and anger Llama Llama Mad at Mama When Sophie Gets Angry-Really Really Angry Sharing Peter’s Chair It’s Mind

5 th Grade Example Being respectful of yourself and others Inside out and Back Again Nothing’s Fair in Fifth Grade Accepting and appreciating differences The Lemonade War Drita, My Homegirl

Pre-K Kindergarten Readiness Checklist Kindergarten Registration Throughout the summer Mix of books Support for initial skills Interest (social/emotional)

Summer Literacy Program Dr. Allington stated, “Several experimental studies have demonstrated that providing relatively few books for summer reading will lead to most students engaging in voluntary reading during the Summer.” Summer Reading 2013

Summer Literacy Program 8 books Writing journal Parent communication Partnerships

What is included

My Books Summer Reading My Books Summer Reading materials are designed to provide students with materials to: apply independent reading and comprehension skills; maintain a summer reading journal and; track summer reading progress.

Research Access to books in the home is key to academic success. Having as few as 20 books in the home has a significant impact on propelling a child to a higher level of education. Research in Social Stratification and Mobility

Why Summer Reading Matters The “summer slide” accounts for as much as 85% of the reading achievement gap between lower-income students and their middle- and upper-income peers.

Participating Students 49 Title I Schools 22,781 students 500 teachers

Book Packs Book Packs: Students will self-select 5 books to take home. Student Journal Think sheets for every title Superintendent Letter Student and Parent access to TrackIt Drawstring take home bag

Student Materials All students in PreK – Grade 8 will receive the following: Five age appropriate reading books Title specific Think Sheets Summer Reading Journals Summer reading knapsacks Access to the online “Track It” system

Book Selection Book Selection forms will arrive at each school the week of April 8. Current students in PreK, kindergarten, and self- contained classrooms o Five preselected book packs (no Book Selection forms) Current Grade 1 and 2 students o Self-select 5 of 10 possible book packs Current Grade 3 and 8 students o Self-select 5 of 15 possible book packs

Text Dependent Questions Reinforce CCSS Comprehension Skills and Strategies Higher Order Thinking Skills Academic Vocabulary Student Think Sheets

Age- appropriate and CCSS aligned writing prompts that encourage reflection Encourages students to cite the text as evidence to the question being asked Balanced focus on Informational Text and Literature Designed to help bridge grade-level transition expectations Student Journal Questions are structured to encourage deep thinking and discussion about the text and the book.

My Books Facilitators Responsibilities include the following task before/after school hours: Disseminate Book Selection forms Enter student selections in online database Complete and submit the School Implementation Plan and Timeline Inventory and Distribute all materials to all students

Facilitator Compensation Two facilitators: 30 hours each o Up to 15 hours for student book selections o Up to 15 hours for student book organization and distribution

Online Engagement Measures participation and text complexity Custom landing page with BCPS messaging and branding Reports for parents, teachers and districts Digital subscription available with all book packs

Parent Communication Letter from the superintendent Parent TrackIt! Information letter Kick-off celebrations Inventory and Distribute all materials to all students

Incentives School based incentives Scholastic sponsored incentive The two schools that have the highest AVERAGE number of minutes read will be eligible for a drawing. The top school will receive three tickets to the Baltimore Ravens game The second place school will receive two reserved tickets to the Baltimore Grand Prix

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