1. Reading Rockets Family Literacy Bags Michele English ISTC 601 March 18, 2010

2. Family Literacy Bags a theme based collection of books includes related interactive activities students bring home the books and/or activities from school to share with the family

3. Compliment Your Curriculum teachers can include books that will concentrate on areas of study that are included in the county and state curriculum this helps allow students to make connections with their world

4. Before You Begin Send home a letter to parents explaining the purpose of the literacy bags include a brief list of reading tips include a parent response form

5. Benefits Strengthens and supports family-school connection Includes parents in their child’s learning Promotes and enhances communication between student and family Encourage family reading time Shows student and family that reading is fun and can be shared with each other (interactive)

6. Necessary Resources Books: donated to the school by families and local organizations Volunteers are needed to put the backpacks together and “check” them in and out Backpacks: donated by local stores or donated money from local organizations and families to purchase the backpacks

7. Great Literacy Pack colorful, inexpensive backpack to transport all materials a fiction and/or non-fiction theme based book at appropriate reading level related interactive activities (ex: puzzles, sorting/matching cards, art supplies, etc) checklist of contents to make returns easy

8. Publicity The LMS and volunteers will call or visit local organizations or businesses to request donations of books, backpacks or money Word of mouth will also be encouraged

9. Suggested Bag Theme “Astronomy” bags May include: Moon, by Steve Tomecek and Lissa Chauncy Guida Once Upon a Starry Night by Jacqueline Mitton To Catch the Moon, by Dinie Akkerman, Paul van Loon and Greta Kilburn Activity: Make your own star chart pattern Family journal - student & family write about the theme (students use a composition book for all family entries)

10. Reference Reading Rockets