The Pandemic threw all of us for a loop, but it seems children really got the short end of the stick. Reports of learning loss and the fact that so many students are not reading on grade level is troubling – we get it! The library shares in your concern, especially when it comes to literacy; after all, we are in the book business, so it is in our interest to get children reading. Rather than throw up hands in defeat, we want to do all we can to support families in their efforts to help their children on their reading journey. We’ve put together a collection of resources to support literacy efforts.
Library Collections
- Explore this list of books designed to assist parents and caregivers in their quest to assist their children with reading.
- The Right to Read – View this documentary on Kanopy. Delve deep into the battle to equip our youngest generation with the fundamental skill essential for lifelong success: the ability to read.
- Explore the decodable books the library offers. There are currently two series – Dog on a Log of interest to readers age eight and under, and Phonic Books for readers age eight and above.
- Open up the TeachingBooks for Libraries database (if you are doing this from home, you will need to enter in your card information). Once there, search: “Early Literacy Toolkit” to find games, read-alongs, and more!
CCCLIB YouTube Videos
- Check out Youtube videos on Reading, Literacy & Education for Families produced by Contra Costa County Library.
Resources for Dyslexia
- Decoding Dyslexia California – A grassroots organization that strives to raise dyslexia awareness, empower families to support their children, and improve resources for students with dyslexia in California public schools.
- International Dyslexia Association – Find an overview of dyslexia, fact sheets, and other helpful resources for families.
- California Dyslexia Guidelines – From the California Department of Education, these guidelines can help teachers and parents support students with dyslexia.
Free Online Resources with Tips for Teaching Reading
- Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR) – Parents, caregivers, and families can find resources to support their children’s reading. FCRR invites you to use the resources to make evidence-based and evidence-informed decisions to improve reading for all learners.
- Free Reading Program – Initiated by Be Reading, the free Reading Program provides free, high quality educational resources for students in the United States, Canada, and around the world through online learning.
- Home Reading Helper - Site has strategies for children who are just starting to learn to read, need practice or are struggling.
- Khan Academy Kids App - A free, research-based app that offers early literacy activities. For ages 2-8.
- Learn to Be – Free online tutoring in reading (and other subjects) for students from low-income households.
- Reading Buddies – Free online videos for young learners covering letter names, sounds, and more.
- Open Reading – Watch episodes of Fletcher’s Place. Each episode focuses on a different skill using body movements and fun activities to engage your child's whole self.
- Project Arise – Free online literacy courses from the Contra Costa, Glenn, and San Diego County Offices of Education.
- Reading Rockets – Reading Rockets offers a rich library of evidence-based classroom strategies to help young children become skilled readers. Explore their self-paced Reading 101 online course.
- Reading Universe – An online service that provides evidence-based strategies and practical guidance to help educators and parents teach their children to read.
- StarFall – Free online resources and print outs. Lessons are sequential – start with level 1; if that is too easy, move on to level 2. Note – the linked site is free, but Starfall.com has expanded learning with subscription options.
- Teach My Kid to Read - The Beginning Reading Instruction portion of the site has free and simple parent-led reading instruction program.
- UFLI’s Foundations (University of Florida Literacy Institute) – An explicit and systematic program that teaches students the foundational skills necessary for proficient reading. The program is designed to be used for core instruction in primary grades or for intervention with struggling students in any grade. There is a workbook to purchase, but everything else is free.
- UFLI’s Parent Resource Hub (University of Florida Literacy Institute) – A collection of web-based language and literacy resources for parents.
Free Decodables Online
- Right to Read Initiative – Provides links to several free online, decodable texts
- The Measured Mom – Find decodable fiction and nonfiction. Note – these do require you to put in your email address.
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