[RFHF] Every Child Ready to Read curriculum update

[Katie Anderson]

Hello! As many of you know the Every Child Ready to Read curriculum you were trained in and received materials for when you participated in RFHF has been updated.  Earlier this week I attended a webinar to learn about the updated curriculum.

The most important thing for you to know is:


*         All the background early literacy research in version of the curriculum you have is the same as in the updated version-it's just presented differently.  That means if you want to continue using the materials, manuals, and handouts you received as a RFHF participant, you can!  You do not have to make any changes unless you want to.



The updated curriculum changes how the early literacy research and information is presented to families to make it easier for you and the families you present it to. Some of the key changes are:



*         A switch from the six skills that children need to have to the five types of activities that parents can do with their children to get them ready to learn to read.  Kids still need to learn the six early literacy skills, but the focus is on the activities parents can do to develop those skills. The five types of activities are: talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing.



*         It does not include as much jargon.  Terms like 'phonological awareness' and 'dialogic reading' are not used.  Plain language is used to describe those concepts and activities parents can do to help their child gain those skills.



*         Workshops are more activity based, and several workshops are for parents and children together.  This means that the curriculum should be much easier to use for Healthy Start staff who have always presented Every Child Ready to Read to parents and children together.  For library staff it means no more struggling with how to get parents to attend without their children.



*         There is a workshop on science and math activities for 2-5 year olds and their parents or child care providers.



*         There is a workshop specifically for you to share with potential partners to educate them about the curriculum and workshops so they can better decide if they are interested in partnering with you on implementing it.



*         Librarians, there are two workshops specifically for you to share with the rest of your staff to teach them a few things about early literacy, why it is important, and how to create an environment that supports early literacy-this is especially important when the library is open and it's you're day off or you are out of the building for some other reason.

The webinar I attended to learn about the updated curriculum is now available to watch online for free at: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/ecrr/sneakpeekwebinar.cfm.  It is an hour long, but if you are really interested in the updated curriculum it should be well worth your time.

The State Library will be purchasing at least one set of the updated curriculum which will be available for you to check out via interlibrary loan. I will send an email on this list when it is available to check out.

The curriculum will be available to purchase online at http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=3404 in June 2011 if you/your agency wishes to purchase it.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Katie

Katie Anderson, Library Development Services
* Youth Services Consultant * Oregon Center for the Book Coordinator *
Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301
katie.anderson at state.or.us<mailto:katie.anderson at state.or.us>, 503-378-2528

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