Endless Summer Learning
In May, AdLit.org featured a beach bag full of summer learning resources for parents and teachers. This month, we encourage you to keep using the beach bag, and we offer additional ideas to help get teens reading. We also feature exclusive interviews with Ron Fairchild, Executive Director of the Center for Summer Learning, and Gene Yang, the award-winning author of the graphic novel American Born Chinese.
Summer Reading Ideas
Reading and enjoying books doesn't have to be a solitary pursuit. Sharing your ideas and listening to others talk about books adds a social component to reading.
- Teen Reads has great information about starting and running a book club, as well as choosing books to read.
- Simon and Schuster runs the Check Your Pulse book club for teens. This program includes a monthly e-newsletter, giveaways, author questions, and more.
- Rap star Common, through his Common Ground Foundation has launched a teen book club called The Corner. The Corner features an online chat and interviews with other rappers about their favorite books.
- If your teen loves movies, check out this list of read-alikes for 2008 blockbusters like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Read the books and see the movies, then compare them with your club.
Exclusive Interview: Ron Fairchild, The Center For Summer Learning
The Center for Summer Learning's mission is to create opportunities for high-quality summer learning for all young people. Based at Johns Hopkins University, the Center is committed to expanding summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged children and youth as a strategy for closing the achievement gap. In this interview, Ron Fairchild discusses the components and benefits of quality summer programs.
Too Many Dropouts, Not Enough Graduates
We associate June with high school graduation, but too many students won't be graduating this month. According to Cities in Crisis, a recent report by the Editorial Project in Education Research Center, the nationwide graduation rate is a disappointing 70%, and 60% in urban school districts.
The National Dropout Prevention Center/Network at Clemson University and Communities in Schools conducted a study on the dropout crisis in the U.S. Several of the risk factors — low achievement, learning disabilities, low motivation — are prevalent among teens who struggle with reading.
Learn More About the Risk Factors
What Do We Know About Who Drops Out and Why?Dropout Prevention
What Are Key Components of Dropout Programs?The Economic and Social Costs of Dropouts
The High Cost of High School DropoutsFeatured Comprehension Strategy: Think-Pair-Share
Here's a great strategy for kids to use in their book clubs or for parents to use when reading with their children.
Think-Pair-Share (TPS) is a collaborative learning strategy in which students -work together to solve a problem or answer a question about an assigned reading. This technique requires students to (1) think individually about a topic or answer to a question; and (2) share their ideas. Discussing an answer with a partner(s) serves to maximize participation, focus attention and engage students in comprehending the reading material. read more >>
Browse Classroom Strategies for more comprehension strategies.
The AdLit.org Author Interview: Gene Yang
Gene Yang is 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. In this interview Yang talks comic-book traditions around the world, how he creates his graphic novels, and ways comics can be used in the classroom.
Book Recommendations: Audiobooks
Sure audiobooks are great for kids who are slow or struggling readers, but everyone loves to listen to a good story. Our exclusive list, prepared by AdLit.org's book advisor Jamie Watson, includes ancient history, cool jazz, family drama, romance, and...flying mice. go to the booklist >>
AdLit.org Featured Partner: The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
The Young Adult Library Services Association's mission is to advocate, promote and strenghten library services to young adults. For over 50 years YALSA has been the world leader in selecting recommended reading, listening and viewing for teens.
AdLit.org is pleased to be a partner for Teen Read Week (Oct. 12-18) — more than 4,800 school and public libraries participated last year. Check back over the coming months for ideas to celebrate in your school or community.
YALSA will host a Young Adult Literature Symposium, November 7-9, 2008, in Nashville.
