Resources for New and Struggling Readers
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 library staff created book list designed to assist parents and caregivers in their quest to assist their children with reading.
- Stream The Right to Read 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.
- Dog on a Log decodable book series - of interest to readers age eight and under.
- Phonic Books decodable book series - of interest to readers age eight and above.
- Open 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!
- Literacy Games - Play literacy games! Literacy Games are a collection of hands-on manipulatives that help children as they learn to read. Ask for more details at the Antioch, Brentwood, Concord, Dougherty Station, Hercules, Lafayette, Oakley, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, San Pablo, San Ramon, and Ygnacio Valley libraries.
Resources for Dyslexia
- Visit the Decoding Dyslexia California website – 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.
- Check out the International Dyslexia Association website – Find an overview of dyslexia, fact sheets, and other helpful resources for families.
- Read the California Dyslexia Guidelines (PDF) – 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
- Visit the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR) website – 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.
- Interact with the Free Reading Program website – 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.
- Learn from the Home Reading Helper website - Site has strategies for children who are just starting to learn to read, need practice or are struggling.
- Download the Khan Academy Kids App - A free, research-based app that offers early literacy activities. For ages 2-8.
- Get tutoring on the Learn to Be website – Free online tutoring in reading (and other subjects) for students from low-income households.
- Watch videos on the Reading Buddies website – Free online videos for young learners covering letter names, sounds, and more.
- Watch Open Reading videos – 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.
- Learn on the Project Arise website – Free online literacy courses from the Contra Costa, Glenn, and San Diego County Offices of Education.
- Explore strategies on the Reading Rockets website – 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.
- Visit the Reading Universe website – An online service that provides evidence-based strategies and practical guidance to help educators and parents teach their children to read.
- Learn on the StarFall website – 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.
- Get support from the Teach My Kid to Read website - The Beginning Reading Instruction portion of the site has free and simple parent-led reading instruction program.
- Explore the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) Foundations website – 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.
- Visit the UFLI’s Parent Resource Hub website – A collection of web-based language and literacy resources for parents.
Free Decodables Online
- Find more on the Right to Read Initiative website – Provides links to several free online, decodable texts
- Explore The Measured Mom website – Find decodable fiction and nonfiction. Note – these do require you to put in your email address.