{"id":26737,"date":"2018-03-30T09:30:36","date_gmt":"2018-03-30T14:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.backtobasicslearning.com\/?p=26737"},"modified":"2018-11-13T12:03:56","modified_gmt":"2018-11-13T17:03:56","slug":"april-is-drop-everything-and-read-month-heres-what-parents-need-to-know-to-prepare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/backtobasicslearning.com\/april-is-drop-everything-and-read-month-heres-what-parents-need-to-know-to-prepare\/","title":{"rendered":"April is Drop Everything and READ Month. Here’s what parents need to know to prepare!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"April<\/a>Did you know that April is D.E.A.R.? D.E.A.R. stands for \u201cDrop Everything and Read,\u201d a national month-long celebration of reading designed to make reading a priority activity.<\/em><\/p>\n

D.E.A.R. programs have been held nationwide in honor of Beverly Cleary\u2019s\u00a0 since she first wrote about D.E.A.R. in the popular book\u00a0Ramona Quimby, Age 8<\/em>. Inspired by letters from readers sharing their enthusiasm for the D.E.A.R. activities implemented in their schools, Mrs. Cleary decided to give the same experience to Ramona and her classmates!<\/p>\n

Why is early reading proficiency so important?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The importance of achieving reading proficiency by the end of third grade is well established among education professionals. And, many states have even passed\u00a0legislation<\/em>\u00a0designed to improve third grade reading, while providing specific, targeted interventions for struggling students.<\/p>\n

This goal \u2014 reading proficiency by the end of third grade \u2014 is by no means arbitrary. If \u201cgraduating\u201d third graders don\u2019t develop the necessary reading skills, they quickly fall behind not only in reading, but in other subject areas. Plus, research indicates that students who do not achieve proficiency by the end of third grade are four times less likely to graduate from high school on time.<\/p>\n

State policies concerning third grade reading vary significantly across the nation. And, despite best intentions, only 35 percent of starting fourth graders across the country are proficient in reading, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.<\/p>\n

Can reading scores be improved?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, reading scores have been notoriously difficult to improve. While math scores have improved substantially since the early 1990s, reading scores have remained flat or increased only by small margins.<\/p>\n

One explanation is that children generally learn math at school. But, they learn most of their language skills at home \u2013 and much of that before they ever enter school!<\/p>\n

In fact, new advances in research show early experiences \u2014 like reading aloud \u2014 have a decisive impact on the architecture of a baby\u2019s brain. And, when reading to babies and toddlers, cells in the children\u2019s growing brains respond. Some brain cells are \u2018turned on,\u2019 triggered by this particular experience, existing connections among brain cells are strengthened, and new brain cells are formed.<\/p>\n

The Top 12 Ways that Early Intervention Can Make a Difference<\/strong><\/p>\n

Early identification is crucial when it comes to helping children who are having trouble learning to read. According to author Joseph K. Torgesen in his recent article\u00a0Catch Them Before They Fall: Identification and Assessment to Prevent Reading Failure in Young Children<\/em>, \u201cOne of the most compelling findings from recent reading research is that children who get off to a poor start in reading rarely catch up. As several studies have now documented, the poor first-grade reader almost invariably continues to be a poor reader.\u201d<\/p>\n

Parents play a crucial role in their children’s attitude toward reading. And, experts offer the following suggestions to help:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Let your child see you read.<\/li>\n
  2. Encourage your child to read on her own at home.<\/li>\n
  3. Keep a variety of reading materials in the house.<\/li>\n
  4. Encourage your child to practice reading aloud. Read together!<\/li>\n
  5. Write short notes for your child to read.<\/li>\n
  6. Encourage activities that require reading (cooking, directions, etc.).<\/li>\n
  7. Establish a designated reading time (even if it’s only 15 minutes each day).<\/li>\n
  8. Talking makes children think about their experiences more and helps them expand their vocabularies. Ask your child to give detailed descriptions of events and to tell complete stories.<\/li>\n
  9. Give your child writing materials.<\/li>\n
  10. Restrict screen time.<\/li>\n
  11. Visit the library. It’s a free resource!<\/li>\n
  12. Work in partnership with your child’s school and teacher\u00a0before<\/em> reading proficiency becomes an issue.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Need some inspiration? We’ve compiled a list of Beverly Cleary’s most popular works! These must-read books are the perfect way to celebrate Drop Everything and Read Month:<\/p>\n

    Ramona Quimby<\/b>
    \n    Beezus and Ramona<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Ramona the Pest<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Ramona the Brave<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Ramona and Her Father<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Ramona and Her Mother<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Ramona Quimby, Age 8<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Ramona Forever<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Ramona’s World<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    Henry Huggins<\/b>
    \n    Henry Huggins<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Henry and Ribsy<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Henry and Beezus<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Henry and the Clubhouse<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Henry and the Paper Route<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Ribsy<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    Ralph S. Mouse<\/b>
    \n    The Mouse and the Motorcycle<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Runaway Ralph<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Ralph S. Mouse<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    More Fun Friends<\/b>
    \n    Ellen Tebbits<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Emily’s Runaway Imagination<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Mitch and Amy<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Muggie Maggie<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Socks<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Otis Spofford<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Dear Mr. Henshaw<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Strider<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Two Times the Fun<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    Young Love (for older readers)\u00a0<\/b>
    \n    Fifteen<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Jean and Johnny<\/i><\/a>
    \n    The Luckiest Girl<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Sister of the Bride<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    Picture Books<\/b>
    \n    The Hullabaloo ABC<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Petey’s Bedtime Story<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Lucky Chuck<\/i><\/a>
    \n    The Growing-Up Feet<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Janet’s Thingamajigs<\/i><\/a>
    \n    Two Dog Biscuits<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    Memoirs<\/b>
    \n    A Girl from Yamhill<\/i><\/a>
    \n    My Own Two Feet<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

    When more help is needed: Reading Tutoring and Summer Reading Programs in Nationwide<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Sometimes, intervention by an educational or reading specialist is necessary\u00a0for success. If your<\/em> child is struggling with reading skills, Back to Basics Learning Dynamics in Wilmington, Nationwide provides 1-on-1 instruction using proven strategies for reading and reading comprehension.<\/p>\n

    Our experienced instructors will work 1-on-1 with your student to read, comprehend, retain and apply reading material. These sessions will provide students with the knowledge and confidence to complete any required reading-related assignments, such as reports, projects and tests.<\/p>\n

    Back to Basics is available 7 days a week at your home, day camp, or in our Newark or Wilmington locations. To learn more about reading help in Nationwide and southeastern Pennsylvania, contact Back to Basics at 302-594-0754.<\/p>\n

    Back to Basics Learning Dynamics can also help your child learn to love reading this summer<\/em>, with summer reading enrichment camps and programs for all ages:<\/p>\n

    Read to Succeed!\u00a0 Maintenance & Enrichment (K-1st, 2nd \u2013 3rd, 4th-5th)<\/strong>
    \nIn this 5 week small group reading skills program our experienced instructors will provide strategies to strengthen your child\u2019s phonemic awareness and word attack skills. Students will work independently and within the small group to improve comprehension and fluency through a variety of text and online materials.<\/p>\n

    $299 with $20 materials fee for 15 hours of instruction
    \n5 week program runs July 9 through August 10<\/p>\n