| |
|
|
|
Reading = Succeding:
A Reading Activity to Empower Parents
Reading = Succeeding is the official
Utah PTA program for Education Commissions.
"If you want your children to be brilliant,
read them fairy tales.
If you want them to be very brilliant,
read them more fairy tales."
- Albert Einstein
Purpose
The purpose of the reading activity is to empower parents with knowledge and reading skills that will enable them to help their children become successful readers.
Reading is a skill that directly affects their success in life. Parents who partner with our schools bring success for children, families, communities, and the state.
You may also empower children by planning a reading activity that gives them tools and incentives to be successful readers. Use this model whether planning for parents or children, and adapt where needed.
Why?
Why have a reading activity?
- PTA National Standards for Family-School Partnerships states:
When parents are involved in their child’s education, the students:
• have increased student learning
• are more confi dent at school
• have a willingness to take on and achieve more
• stay in school longer
• do better in school
- Empowering parents
Parents desire knowledge and reading skills to help their children be successful readers.
When parents partner with their school, children become successful readers and have success in the school setting, which leads them to become productive and contributing citizens.
Before children enter school, parents are essential to helping their children ages 0-5 with learning pre-reading skills.
- Empowering children
All children deserve to be successful readers because without reading skills, children continue to struggle throughout their school years.
Children who don’t read by the end of third grade have a greater chance of dropping out of school.
We encourage all children to read at least twenty minutes a day.
Who Sponsors?
Who sponsors a reading activity?
PTA partners with the principal, teachers, school community council, local businesses, community members, and the local university or college.
Activities
A reading activity could encompass many activities, attendees, and programs, such as:
- One evening/day with a focus on ages 0-5, and grades K-3.
- One evening/day with a focus on grades 4-6 and the struggling reader.
- A round robin with activities and information in several areas to help parents and children.
- A conference for parents held on Saturday.
Resources
Principals, teachers, reading specialists, counselors, district specialists, USOE specialists,
universities, and colleges have great presenters and specialists. Don’t forget the community,
as local businesses may donate money, food, books, prizes, etc. Ask! You can fi nd
great volunteers in the community that are role models for children such as: authors, artists,
athletes, coaches, civic leaders, someone overcoming great odds, and many others.
How to Organize
Q: How do I organize a reading activity?
A: Establish a core committee who will:
- Decide the purpose, goals, and partners.
A. Be sure to form committees to assist with the planning and the work to ensure the
success of the event.
- Decide the date, time, place, and money needed.
- Decide who will attend.
- Decide the activities to be held.
- Decide the presenters, speakers, or leaders of the activities.
- Decide the handouts, book bags, prizes, etc. you will need, and order materials well in advance of the activity.
- Registration: Who will handle the registration? How will it be done? Who will help?
- Do you want a resource area/display area? A table for handouts?
- Work with sponsors. Be sure they understand the purpose and goal and what they will be sponsoring and doing. If they donated money or in-kind materials you must do exactly what you agreed to do with their money or their in-kind donation.
- Advertise well in advance of your event. Use school newspapers, invitations, notes to families, posters, local radio, TV, or newspapers.
- Assign someone to produce the publicity, invitations, and programs.
- Thank those you have invited to help.
- Have everything ready when people arrive. Time is precious to the attendees, so be prepared to start on time and have fun.
- Have greeters directing traffi c and giving instructions.
- Decide if food will be served. How much is needed? How will it be served? Where will it be served? What is the cost?
- Evaluate your activity. Prepare an evaluation sheet for participants to fill out before leaving.
- Go for it! Create your own special event that meets the needs of your school, parents, and children!
|
|
|
Utah PTA in the News
Dads' participation at Magna school soaring - 8/21/2010
Magna Elementary seeking a few ‘superheroes’ - 8/18/2010
VIDEO: Need for Summer Break - 8/8/2010
>> View All 24 News Articles
What's New?
Perspectives Magazine
Quick Links:
Are You on Facebook?
Follow us on Facebook! Visit the Utah PTA Facebook Page.
Follow Utah PTA on 
Click the Twitter logo above, or text follow utahpta to 40404
|
|
