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1 in 4 children in America grow up without learning how to read.
2/3 of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of 4th grade will end up in jail or on welfare. Over 70% of America’s inmates cannot read above a 4th grade level.
Take the Challenge: Read 365 |
I am so thrilled to see PURE GRIT on this list! It's right there on the same page with books by authors I admire. What an honor!
The New York City Department of Education this week released lists of recommended books for students. The
grade-level book lists represent a wide range of genres and cultural perspectives, and the city is putting up money to make sure the books are available in school libraries. Launched this week— NYC Reads 365, an effort by New York City
encourage both kids and adults to read every day. A wealth of academic research points to the benefits of daily reading. Organizers says, read for pleasure, read to find out, read to argue, read to persuade, read to laugh, read to cry, read to understand, read to forget.
Author Jon Scieszka helped kick off the initiative this week at PS 133 in Brooklyn. One of his books was a big favorite with my oldest son in elementary school. And
recently THE STINKY CHEESE MAN movie came out.
“NYC Reads 365 is one of the smartest, most wonderfully direct literacy efforts I have ever seen,” said Jon Scieszka. “Kids become lifelong independent readers by seeing positive role models, having a choice in what they read, and being able to read for
pleasure – exactly what NYC Reads 365 offers."
For those of us who grew up reading and received a strong grounding in basic subjects, reading is not something we need to be encouraged to do. Lots of us pick up a book any chance we can get. Some kids are not so lucky. Students who don't read proficiently by the 3rd grade are 4 times likelier to drop out of school.
I've taken the challenge, not only to read every day, but to do something
to help increase literacy in my city. I will host a Dr. Seuss book drive to benefit kids in family shelters. Here's a list of ways you can encourage kids to read. Why not join with a young person you know and take the challenge? Let me know if you do. I'll post a
photo in December showing the results of my Dr. Seuss book drive.
My first week of National Novel Writing Month has gone very well. I've written over 10,000 words since November 1. Also this week, I finished another round of copy edits on the FANNIE NEVER FLINCHED manuscript. I am still waiting for a handful of photographs to come in, but I venture to say that the book is
finally finished. Should know the pub date soon.
Here's a clip from a West Virginia newspaper article quoting Fannie Sellins speaking at a strike rally in December 1913.
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unsubscribe below anytime with a single mouse click. To find out more about my books, how I help students, teachers and librarians, visit my website at www.MaryCronkFarrell.com. My best, Mary
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