Reading Rockets offers a wealth of reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. Our reading resources assist parents, teachers, and other educators in working with struggling readers who require additional help in reading fundamentals and comprehension skills development.

Back to School!

Back to School!

Back to School

Teachers are prepping lesson plans and transforming their classrooms into welcoming spaces. Parents are filling carts with pens, pencils, paper — and readying their kids for the big first day. Energy and excitement around the new school year is building! Take a look at our classroom and at-home resources to help you launch a year of reading, learning, and discovery.


Bright Ideas for Back-to-School Night — and Beyond

Back-to-school night is big event on the school calendar. This opportunity for parents and teachers to meet and connect deserves special attention. We've gathered up a backpack full of materials and resources to help make the most of back-to-school night — and set the tone for a great school year together.

Go to back-to-school night resources >

Who's Who in Your Child's School

There are many people at your child's school who are there to help your child learn, grow socially and emotionally, and navigate the school environment. Here's a selected list of who's who at your school: the teaching and administrative staff as well as organizations at the district level. You might want to keep this list handy all year long.

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Books & Authors

Gene Yang: The Making of a Graphic Novel

American Born Chinese

The magic of comics takes place between the panels, says Yang, a high school teacher and award-winning graphic novelist. His book American Born Chinese received the 2007 Michael L. Printz Award for young adult literature, and was a finalist for the National Book Award — both firsts for a graphic novel. Watch as Yang demonstrates the steps in his writing and drawing process.

Credit: The Kennedy Center Education Department Performing Arts Series

Reading the Pictures: Graphic Novels for Younger Children

Owly

In a graphic novel, visuals drive the story. The cinematic, detailed, and expressive illustrations help many children, including reluctant readers, unlock a story's plot and characters. Meet Magic Pickle, Fashion Kitty, Polo, and a band of other heroes in this eclectic mix of books for adventurous kids ages 3-9.

Go to graphic novel booklist >

Features

Creating a Welcoming Classroom for ELLs

ELLs

Imagine what it would be like to step into a classroom where you didn't understand the language, routines, or expected behavior. This is what it feels like for many young English language learners. Here's how you can help make the transition to this new world as smooth as possible for your ELLs.

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It's important to reach out to the parents of your ELLs, too. Meet Angelica Torres who was apprehensive at first about volunteering at her child's school. She loved it and now encourages other parents to get involved.

Watch video >

The 90-Minute Reading Block

Research shows that students need at least 90 minutes of uninterrupted reading instruction each day to make progress in reading skill development. Effective instruction should be both explicit and differentiated. Here's how to set up a productive 90-minutes.

Organizing for Effective Reading Instruction >

An Example of a 90-Minute Reading Block >

Looking at the Literacy Coach

Many school districts have adopted coaching &mdash including literacy coaching — to improve instruction and student learning. This brief describes the characteristics of a successful coach and how to select, prepare, and evaluate coaches.

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My Child's Academic Success

The U.S. Education Department provides these tips for parents about how to be involved in your child's school, and what to do if problems arise. Work with your child's teacher and school to keep the lines of communication open.

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Community

Reading Rockets Is on Facebook!

Facebook

Connect with Reading Rockets on our new Facebook fan page. You'll find video interviews with award-winning children's authors, recommended books for young kids, our reading blogs, the daily reading news, a graffitti wall, events listings, and more. You can also sign up to follow Reading Rockets on Twitter. Add your voice to our literacy community!

Go to Reading Rockets on Facebook >

Featured Partner: National Parent-Teacher Association

PTA's mission is to be a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child. Browse the PTA website for resources, advocacy activity, and membership information.

Tips & News from Reading Rockets

  • Reading Tips for Parents. These one-page parent tip sheets are now available in 11 languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Korean, Navajo, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. NEW! Tips for parents of babies and toddlers.

  • Reading Rockets News. Take a look at the current issue of our popular monthly e-newsletter on reading.