Posts tagged Literacy
Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.
This holiday season, give the gift that keeps on giving - BOOKS.
$10 = 4 brand-new books to kids in need.
We did the math: If all of our followers on Tumblr donated $10 to First Book, we would be able to provide over 60,000 books to kids in need throughout the US. That’s pretty impressive.
In the U.S., 63 million adults — 29 percent of the country’s adult population —over age 16 don’t read well enough to understand a newspaper story written at the eighth grade level.
(Source: proliteracy.org)
“She is seven years old, and has been shuffled around to several locations over the past six months. She had been in and out of several different school districts, and is very frustrated over leaving her friends and her family. I was able to find several [First Book] books on her level — some for fun and some with a life lesson. When I gave her the books, she looked up at me and said, “I don’t know if I’ll be here long enough to read all of these and give them back.” I shared with her that these books were for her to keep, and they now belonged to her. She carried those books around with her everywhere she went. I would always see her sitting in a corner to read. She may not have the best of everything, but she was able to use her creativity and imagination to transport her to the world of books. She has since left the shelter, taking with her a backpack full of books. She and her mother recently called me to share that she made the honor roll and received an achievement for reading.” - Ellen, Volunteer
Our friends at Random House Children’s Books have generously agreed to donate one brand-new book for each new follower we gain on Tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter this week. Those books will go to thousands of schools and programs serving kids from low-income families across the country.
Please Re-blog!
To learn more about First Book, please visit: www.firstbook.org
”Literacy is not a luxury, it is a right and a responsibility.” - Bill Clinton
(via inspiredbylit)
The Case Foundation is celebrating the end of summer with a back-to-school sweepstakes on Facebook. The winning nonprofit will receive $10,000.
So if you want to help First Book get more books to more kids, visit the Case Foundation’s Facebook page and “like” them, then cast your vote for First Book. To sweeten the deal, you will also be entered to win a $500 gift card at the same time.
CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR FIRST BOOK!
REBLOG!!!
“Mayor Michael Nutter and other city officials rolled out a plan Monday to prevent future “flash mobs” and punish those caught terrorizing the streets. Nutter says the violence by a small number of reckless teenagers has damaged Philadelphia and its citizens. And he says he’s tired of it. ”I don’t care what your economic status is in life, you do not have a right to beat somebody’s a— on the street. None,” said the mayor. Philadelphia is tightening its curfew and warning parents to keep track of their children—or risk fines.”
Philadelphia teenagers held a peaceful “flashmob” demonstration, reading books instead of participating in violence.
This is one of the reasons why we do what we do…
The educational careers of 25-40% of American children are imperiled because they don’t read well enough, quickly enough or easily enough.
First Book staffers on the National Mall helping to distribute 150,000 books to kids in need yesterday.
Today’s guest blog post is from Sheila Frye (teachingliteracy):
Short Bio: Sheila has been in education for over thirteen years serving as a Special Educator, Gifted and Talented Teacher, Reading Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Adjunct Professor of graduate education. A lifelong lover of reading, Sheila is currently a doctorate candidate studying the relationship between literacy learning and technology.
Books.
Some may think they are merely printed words inked onto pieces of white paper.
But to a child, they can be so much more.
Research shows that children who grow up in print-rich environments and have access to high-quality books fair better academically in school. They are more self-confident learners and believe in the power of exploration and imagination.
Unfortunately, many families in low-income areas often lack money to buy books, and all families, including those in high-income ones, typically do not frequent their local libraries. The result? Stunted literacy development and a missed opportunity to be a lifelong reader.
Organizations like First Book are “putting books in the hands of children who need them the most.” First Book works tirelessly to make books available in homes, classrooms, and programs in North America and end illiteracy once and for all.
Interested in learning more about this valuable organization? Just click here.
