Getting Started
Do you like to jump in and try something new first, before delving into the research? Start by implementing one of the streamlined activity plans.
Do you like to do the research first, before giving something new a try? Start by reading the research review and/or by implementing one of the extended activity plans. The streamlined plans are shortened versions of the extended plans for the same activities. The streamlined activity plans include only the essential research-based activities, bare-bones scripts, and a few of the most important facilitation tips and caregiver literacy messages. The extended activity plans include lots of activity ideas for variations and extended learning, more complete scripts, more facilitation tips and caregiver literacy messages, and embedded research. The extended activity plans were used in the pilot project and evaluation. The streamlined activity plans were developed based on feedback from several of the pilot project participants. |
Guidance from the Fostering Readers Project Team
There is not one right way to use these materials or implement research-based literacy programs for children in K-3rd grade. The Fostering Readers project team kept in mind the diversity of library and afterschool program types, sizes, locations, resources, and capacities while developing these materials. Foster Readers materials are designed to be flexible to meet those diverse needs, as well as a variety of adult learning, planning, and implementation styles.
These are the most important things to keep in mind as you explore and use Fostering Readers materials, adapt the activity plans provided here, and create your own activity plans:
The purpose of Fostering Readers
Regarding the research
Nurture diversity
Fostering readers -vs- teaching reading
These are the most important things to keep in mind as you explore and use Fostering Readers materials, adapt the activity plans provided here, and create your own activity plans:
The purpose of Fostering Readers
- The primary goal in every literacy activity is for children to have fun with books, reading, and writing.
- If kids aren't having fun, change course! You don't have to implement the activity plans as written.
- If something isn't working for you, adapt it. If you aren't having fun, the kids aren't having fun.
- Respond positively to all children's early efforts at reading and writing. Just like toddlers learning to speak, K-3rd grade children who are learning how to read don't need to be perfect yet.
Regarding the research
- The key elements and key strategies are the primary research-based building blocks of Fostering Readers literacy activities.
- The more key strategies and key elements you include in an activity, the greater the impact on children's literacy development.
- You may not be able to include all five key strategies and all five key elements in every literacy activity you do. That's okay! Implementing one key element or key strategy is better than none.
- Research shows it is crucial that children read about contemporary kids, families, and other adults who look like them and have similar background experiences. It is also important for children to read about people who are different than themselves.
- Translanguaging research indicates that children who speak more than one language should be encouraged to draw on and use all their language skills. It is valuable for monolingual children to hear and learn other languages.
- The Fostering Readers materials are based on research regarding children in K-3rd grade. They may not be developmentally appropriate for younger or older children.
Nurture diversity
- Plan activities that are culturally responsive and inclusive. Some ideas are included in the extended activity plans, handouts and more, and research review.
- Do your best to make sure every child in your program can find more than one book (or other reading materials) with a contemporary protagonist they can relate to. This may not be possible due to the drop-in nature of many programs and limited resources; please do the best you can within the context of your program.
- Encourage children and families to use all the languages they speak in whatever way works best for them. You don't need to understand everything they say, read, or write. If necessary, you can ask participants for help translating.
- Try to learn and use a few words in the additional languages participants speak (e.g. hello, book, read, write, thank you).
- If you speak more than one language, use the languages you speak in a way that works for children and families participating in your program.
Fostering readers -vs- teaching reading
- Fostering Readers literacy activities are fun opportunities for kids to practice reading and writing in ways that research shows foster literacy development.
- Library staff and afterschool providers support teachers by providing kids opportunities to practice what they are learning in school, often making connections between what kids learn in school and real-world applications.
- Fostering Readers literacy activities are not lesson plans for teaching children how to read.
Fostering Readers is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.