Reading Rockets offers a wealth of reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. Our reading resources assist parents, teachers, and other educators in working with struggling readers who require additional help in reading fundamentals and comprehension skills development.
PBS Stations and Reading Readiness
Television is the young child's most influential teacher, second only to parents. Nothing else in our culture can match television's ability to influence how children learn, think, and act. Given the power of television, young children need adults who can show them how to become wise television users and who can use television to contribute to school readiness.
Reading Rockets is pleased to present the following information for public television stations involved in activities that support children's learning. By using these research-based materials, public television stations can offer workshops for parents and child care providers that help prepare young children for success in school.
Click below for:
A toolkit for public television stations
You can download the "Reading Rockets Outreach Toolkit" by clicking below. The kit provides handouts and materials to make it easy for coordinators to offer literacy workshops. Included in the kit are video modules that show what works in teaching and encouraging kids to become readers.
- Download the entire kit (4MB PDF)*
The toolkit has also been divided into sections for easier downloading.
- Front section (117K PDF)*
- Binder Cover
- Letter to Ready to Learn Coordinators
- Front Cover
- Acknowledgements
- Table of Contents
- Outreach Overview (49K PDF)*
- Components
- Tips – Suggestions for How to Use Reading Rockets
- Free Resources Order Form
- Video Tape and DVD Purchase Information
- Reading Rockets Video Modules (223K PDF)*
- Introduction
- Workshop Leader Guidelines and Handouts
- Module 1: Roots of Literacy: Becoming Aware of Print
- Module 2: Finding the Right Book
- Module 3: Reading as Dialogue
- Module 4: The Building Blocks of Reading
- Module 5: Reading Together
- Module 6: Reading for Meaning
- Online Resources (2.87MB PDF)*
- Reading Rockets Background (928K PDF)*
- Fact Sheet – Launching Young Readers
- Episode Descriptions – Launching Young Readers
- Reading Rockets Advisors
- Reading Rockets National Partners
Video modules
The following video modules are referenced within the toolkit. Click below to view the video clips now. They are between three and five minutes each. You'll need a copy of the free RealOne Player. Most computers already have it installed, or you can download it now.
- Module 1: Roots of Literacy: Becoming Aware of Print (3:30)
This clip shows how three-year old Mira gets a head start on reading from her parents.
Recommended Use: For basic workshops for parents, pre-K teachers, and childcare providers.
- Module 2: Finding the Right Book (3:15)
The library is a vital resource for one mom whose son's appetite for information – especially about dinosaurs – is growing as quickly as his shoe size.
Recommended Use: This is a good piece for basic workshops for parents, childcare providers, and educators. It will also work well in book-based workshops that focus on television series like Arthur, Between the Lions, Clifford, and Reading Rainbow.
- Module 3: Reading as Dialogue (3:00)
In a Long Island Head Start classroom, children boost their reading skills using a technique called "dialogic reading."
Recommended Use: This is a particularly good piece to use in workshops for pre-K teachers and curriculum-based childcare providers.
- Module 4: The Building Blocks of Reading (3:45)
In Baltimore, a pre-kindergarten program called Children's Literacy Initiative helps children meet the school's high expectations.
Recommended Use: Pre-K teachers and curriculum-based childcare providers.
- Module 5: Reading Together (3:30)
A program called Georgetown Even Start is helping families in Washington, D.C. break the cycle of low literacy.
Recommended Use: Particularly appropriate for Head Start and Even Start staff working with low literacy parents.
- Module 6: Reading for Meaning (4:15)
In Washington, D.C., inmates get trained on how to run a book club for their children.
Recommended Use: For professionals and volunteers who work with incarcerated parents.
* To view this file, you'll need a copy of Acrobat Reader. Most computers already have it installed, or you can download it now.
§ To play this clip, you'll need a copy of the free RealOne Player. Most computers already have it installed, or you can download it now.
"This is a wonderful site with a wealth of information to share with parents and teachers. As a Reading Specialist, it is very helpful to me!"
~ Laurie A.
