Early Literacy CenterText Box: Prepared By: Marcia Heneson, Language Arts Coordinator Fall 2007 Update Governor’s Summer 2007 Reading Challenge Congratulations to the students in grades 1-4 for 100% participation in the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge. Our students read 5,436 books this summer for an average of 25 books per student. Thank you to all the parents who have supported this program by reading to their children, taking them to the library, and providing the message that reading is enjoyable and important. New Reading Support Teacher Karen Donaghy has joined our staff as our new reading support teacher. She has experience as a Reading Recovery teacher and has taught reading in Mansfield and Windham after moving to Connecticut from New York State. Karen is providing individual and small group The UCONN Connection We have four fifth-year literacy interns at Center School this year. Jennifer Cordi and Jennifer Mancini were student teachers in first grade classrooms at Center School last spring. Cassie Dauber and Stephanie Cone are new to Center School. They are enthusiastically teaching guided reading groups in grades 1—3 and are involved in a an inquiry project researching the connection between comprehension and written responses. Sixteen undergraduates are volunteering at Center School this semester as part of the America Reads Program. Each volunteer spends about two hours a week supporting literacy activities in classrooms throughout the building. Our proximity to the University of Connecticut provides a valuable opportunity to support future teachers and volunteers interested in helping children while our students gain additional attention from these enthusiastic young men and women. Websites for Parents http://www.rif.org Reading in Fundamental’s site includes tips and activity ideas to help parents motivate their children to read. The site includes activities for students and links to related websites. http://www.ala.org/ala The American Library Association provides links to lists of award-winning book lists and sites for children. http://www.readingrockets.org The Reading Rockets website has articles, tips for parents, and books lists. http://www.scholastic.com Scholastic’s website has a section with resources for parents and activities for children. http://www.pbs.org/parents This sight includes tips for parents, information about literacy K-3, and activities for children. Today’s Tip for Parents can be accessed through the Information Desk. Buiding Readers, our monthly literacy newsletter can be accessed through the Literacy Center. Please contact me if you would like more information about our literacy programs. Marcia Heneson Language Arts Coordinator