Community Connection
by Terri Barnes
When NYC teacher Alvin Irby saw one of his first grade students wait impatiently for his haircut at the local barbershop, it gave him an idea: Put children’s books in barbershops, specifically those serving black communities. Recipient of the 2017 Innovations in Reading Prize, Barbershop Books provides a growing number of barbershops across the United States a selection of children’s books aimed especially at boys ages four to eight, leveraging the power of male influences to help young boys become readers. […]
Readers Write
by Alexander Pavlicin
Stress: A feeling everyone feels at one point or another when a problem arises and finding a solution is difficult. Stress is a largely natural response to challenges, but managing stress poorly can lead to more problems down the road, such as a decline in physical and mental health. One way to manage stress is by reading books. Studies have shown that more than half the time, the act of reading reduces stress faster and more completely than other relaxation methods. In this month’s Readers Write, we asked, “How do books help you de-stress, and what books do you choose to read when you start to feel the pressure?”
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Turn the Page
by Naomi Krueger
Student access to interesting books and time to read them is key to academic—and life—success. Educators agree that books are important, but current trends in education standards may be a barrier to cultivating strong reading and writing habits. In fact, students may be “fake reading” their way through school. Teacher and author Kelly Gallagher uses key strategies to get more kids to love reading, one book, one student, one group of educators at a time. […]