Thursday, June 13, 2013

Reading A-Z—A Support for Your Program

Reading A-Z is an amazing website that has thousands of leveled readers that you can download if you have a reasonably priced yearly subscription.  These books are printable and can provide youth with an opportunity to practice reading and strengthen proficiency and can also serve as source materials for clubs and themes that you want to explore in your program.  As an additional perk there are new books highlighted on the website each month adding to an ever-growing library.  If you haven’t checked out Reading A-Z we encourage you to do so at     "Reading A-Z"  Here are three ways you can use the materials you find there in your afterschool program.

Use the leveled readers to reinforce reading skills.  Whether the youth is a beginning reader or a more advanced reader, you can find what you need on the website.  Part of promoting literacy is giving youth the opportunity to read a variety of books and A-Z has series, individual fiction, and informational text as well. 

Use the Leveled Reading Passages to promote fluency.  If you decide to utilize the strategy of repeated reading, these passages are perfect.  Repeated reading gives youth a passage to read, reread, and reread again.  This practice gives youth the opportunity to practice all of those “commonly used words” in context.  It is more relevant than simply practicing flash cards and can support mastery of sight words as well.

Use the books as source material for planning an event or theme.  For example, A-Z has a number of wonderful biographies including books about Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King, Junior.  Using these books as source material you can plan events that will celebrate the lives of these leaders.  Or you could use the books on the Lewis and Clark expedition to carry out your Westward Movement theme.  You could print a book for each of your staff and a few copies as appropriate for youth, and you will be certain that you are all on the same page.

Check out Reading A-Z and see what you think.  Then let us know.  We’d love to hear from you.



















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