Reading right from the start

July 28, 2021

The Rollins Center for Language & Literacy at The Atlanta Speech School developed Read Right from the Start—a comprehensive, effective professional development initiative focused on strengthening and enriching the language and literacy development of young children (birth to age 8).  The Rollins Center partners with early childhood educators, childcare providers, and elementary schools to provide various professional development opportunities, including workshops, seminars, coaching, mentoring, and online learning. Focused specifically on helping teachers of children who are living in poverty and children who are at the greatest risk for experiencing reading difficulties in school, Read Right from the Start has been delivered to hundreds of teachers and thousands of children in the metro Atlanta area. The Urban Child Study Center serves as the research & evaluation partner for Read Right from the Start.

For more information about this partnership, please contact Dr. Gary Bingham.

Visit the Rollins Center for Language & Literacy for more information.

Beginning in 2011, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta partnered with the Rollins Center to bring Read Right from the Start to its early education centers.  By its completion, this partnership will have served more than 160 lead and assist classroom teachers and more than 1500 children ages birth to 5 years old.

For more information about this project, please contact Taneisha Lee or Gary Bingham.

Visit the YMCA of Metro Atlanta for more information.

Beginning in 2012, the Sheltering Arms Early Education and Family Centers partnered with the Rollins Center to bring Read Right from the Start to its early education centers. By its completion, this partnership will have served more than 150 lead and assist classroom teachers and more than 1500 children ages birth to 5 years old.

Visit Sheltering Arms Early Education and Family Centers for more information.

Coaching Model Evaluation

Researchers in the Urban Child Study Center are investigating the components of the coaching model used to bring Read Right from the Start into early childhood classrooms.  By examining the implementation models that have been used in classrooms throughout metro Atlanta, researchers will uncover the most effective components of the coaching experience that lead to successful outcomes for teachers and children.

For more information about this project, please contact Margaret Quinn or Gary Bingham.

2012-2014 Coaching Program Evaluation Report

Read Right E-Learning Evaluation Study (RREES)

Researchers in the Urban Child Study Center are examining the impact of teachers’ access to Read Right from the Start E-Learning Platform by investigating its impact on teachers’ implementation of the Read Right instructional strategies, and the quality of teachers’ instructional practices.

For more information about this project, please contact Gary Bingham.

Filed Under: Partnerships Tagged With: Read Right from the Start

top interesting books that you can't put down

There are books that you need to read slowly and thoughtfully, gradually getting used to the characters and what is happening. And there are those that capture from the first pages and make you forget about everything until the last lines. When you need to pass the hours on a long drive or keep yourself occupied on a cold evening, the best choice is books that are read in one breath. It can be a dynamic detective story, a cult fantasy, an action-packed drama or a humorous story. nine0003

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Gray is the most famous and relevant work of all time by the English writer Oscar Wilde.

Dorian is a handsome and vain young man. He is afraid of old age and ugliness. One day, admiring his own portrait, he voices a secret desire: that instead of him the image would grow old, and Gray himself would forever remain beautiful. And so it happens ... Long years of depraved and criminal life pass, but time leaves no trace on Gray's fresh face. And he already regrets his gift. nine0003

The book is written in a lively and ironic manner. Watching the gradual and inevitable degradation of the main character is frighteningly interesting.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, John Boyne

John Boyne is a contemporary Irish author of children's and adult literature. He became famous thanks to the novel "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas". The book was nominated for several prestigious awards and successfully filmed.

The story tells about little Bruno. In the background is World War II. A naive boy knows nothing about fascism, military operations, concentration camps. His family moves to the Auschwitz neighborhood because his father has been promoted. While exploring new territories, the boy finds a friend, Shmuel. He lives on a "farm" behind barbed wire. One day Bruno decides to visit Shmuel "on a visit", and it turns into a tragedy. ..

Behind the touching story is a harsh reality. The book is small, it can be read in one evening, completely immersed in experiences. And the result is a rethinking of the terrible pages of history. nine0003

Zapovednik, Sergey Dovlatov

"Reserve" is a short ironic story by the Soviet-American writer Sergei Dovlatov. It is ideal for the first acquaintance with the author.

The divorced writer Boris Alikhanov gets a job as a tour guide in the Mikhailovskoye Museum-Reserve. He mockingly and cynically describes local orders in the form of anecdotal stories. Gradually life in the museum fades into the background. The sad and difficult past of the hero comes to the front. "Reserve" is very aphoristic and has long been sold in quotations. Dovlatov's characteristic humor makes you laugh on almost every page. nine0003

Stephen King Rita Hayworth

The famous film "The Shawshank Redemption" is included in the list of the best pictures of world cinema. It is an adaptation of the book of the same name by Stephen King, also known as Rita Hayworth. The story is written in the genre of psychological realism, unusual for the "king of horrors". Like the movie, the book draws you in from the very beginning.

The protagonist Andy Dufresne, an intelligent and cold-blooded banker, is convicted of murdering his wife and her lover, which he did not actually commit. In Shawshank High Security Prison, he tries to get justice. Strikes up relationships with powerful prisoners, helps the administration with financial matters and plans an escape for 27 long years. "Rita Hayworth, or The Shawshank Redemption" is a capacious, concise book that keeps you in suspense until the last pages. nine0003

Dummies Guy de Maupassant

French writer Guy de Maupassant is a master of the short story. His first short story "Pyshka" was recognized as a masterpiece and glorified the author overnight.

The story takes place during the Franco-Prussian War. Several gentlemen from the upper strata of society, two nuns and a good-natured plump courtesan nicknamed Pyshka leave the occupied city on a stagecoach. The road is long and difficult. Pyshka has to learn from her own experience how hypocritical and cruel seemingly decent and virtuous people can be. Maupassant depicted locations, characters and relationships in detail and realistically. Despite the small volume of the work, you are completely immersed in what is happening. nine0003

Ten Little Indians (There Were Ten), Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie's best-selling detective story "Ten Little Indians" is not like the measured investigations of Poirot and Miss Marple. This is a creepy psychological thriller. According to the author, the novel was the most difficult to write. By the way, in France, for reasons of political correctness, the book is now published under the title "There were ten of them. "

Ten strangers gather on a small island off the English coast. Some received an invitation to rest, others were called for work. During lunch, the gramophone plays a recording of the accusations of murder. The guests understand that they have fallen into a trap ... Someone starts killing them one by one, as in an ominous counting rhyme found by each of them in the bedroom. There is not a soul on the island anymore - it remains to suspect each other. nine0003

Agatha Christie perfectly conveyed the gloomy atmosphere of fear and distrust. A dynamic narrative keeps you in suspense until an unpredictable and spectacular denouement.

The Fault in Our Stars, John Green

John Green is a popular American writer and best-selling author for teens. One of his most famous works is the novel The Fault in Our Stars, about terminally ill lovers.

The book tells about the meeting and relationship of sixteen-year-old Hazel and seventeen-year-old Augustus. Both do not have long to live, but they know how to enjoy life, joke and love. Despite the heavy themes of illness and death, The Fault in Our Stars is a bright and life-affirming book. Easy to read and quick - great for the weekend. But paper handkerchiefs can come in handy. nine0003

Chocolat, Joanne Harris

British writer Joanne Harris rose to fame with her third book. It was a mystical melodrama "Chocolate". The novel won several literary awards, hit numerous best-seller lists, and formed the basis of a successful film that was nominated for five Oscars.

A young woman, Vianne Rocher, arrives in a fictional French town to open a chocolate shop. She has magical powers and uses them in the art of confectionery. Thanks to her sweets, the neighbors once again felt the taste for life. But the local priest is unhappy with the situation. A desperate confrontation begins. nine0003

Island in the Sea, Annika Tor

An Island in the Sea is the first book by children's author Annika Thor. The novel was noted by the jury of the Janusz Korczak International Literary Prize. A small instructive story suitable for family reading.

The plot takes place during the war. Two Jewish girls - Steffi and Nelli - are forced to leave their parents and move as refugees from Austria to Sweden. In a foreign country without loved ones is not easy. The heroines will have to cope with fear, powerlessness, despair and shame. But life goes on, and there will always be a place for hope, friendship, love and mutual assistance. A touching story makes you empathize with the characters and follow the fate of the girls with excitement. nine0003

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

The cult novel by American writer Daniel Keyes was born from the short story of the same name. For both works, the author received two of the most prestigious awards in the genre of science fiction: "Hugo" and "Nebula".

The book is written in the form of reports compiled by mentally retarded janitor Charlie Gordon. He participates in an experiment to increase the level of intelligence. The brain surgery was successful. Charlie is getting smarter every day. Soon, his IQ becomes higher than that of the professors who conducted the experiment ... The first parts of the novel are written in clumsy, illiterate language, which improves as Charlie's intelligence grows. It is fascinating to follow the success of the hero, the development of his personality and emotions about what is happening. nine0003

French Lieutenant's Woman John Fowles

John Fowles is an outstanding English writer, a prominent representative of postmodernism. He created the immortal novels The Collector and The Magus. One of his most popular books was The French Lieutenant's Woman, a mysterious and intriguing work. The brilliant Meryl Streep played in the film adaptation.

The characters and scenery of the novel resembles a Victorian one. However, the author deliberately narrates from the position of his contemporary, who already knows about the sexual revolution, the theory of psychoanalysis and postmodern ideas. The main character, a poor young gentleman Charles Smithson, meets an outcast woman. She is called the mistress of the French lieutenant. For her sake, Smithson leaves the bride. Whether this story has a happy ending depends on the reader, with whom Fowles masterfully plays throughout the novel. nine0003

Fried Green Tomatoes at Stop Stop Café by Fannie Flagg

The world-famous and beloved book by American writer Fanny Flagg.

In the story, the cheerful and charming resident of the nursing home, Ninnie Threadgood, tells her new friend Evelyn about her past. Her quiet provincial life in the town of Half Station was full of events. Conversations charge Evelyn with enthusiasm and energy. The book has the same effect on readers. Charismatic characters, a warm atmosphere and a pleasant simple style - all that you can appreciate. nine0003

Stranger, Max Frei

"The Outsider" is the first volume of the famous series of science fiction books "Labyrinths of Echo". By the way, if you didn’t know, Svetlana Martynchik writes under the pseudonym Max Fry.

The book consists of several stories that introduce readers to the story of Sir Max. He got into the magical world of Echo and began a career in the Secret Investigation. Together with his boss, the powerful magician Juffin Halli, he investigates strange cases. At the same time, he studies a new world and becomes more and more sympathetic to it. The amazing events in Echo are so addictive that you don’t want to return to the real world. nine0003

Secret Place Tana French

Irish writer Tana French is the author of popular detective novels that have been highly acclaimed by critics and juries of literary awards. The Secret Place is the fifth installment in the Dublin Police series. But this is a self-sufficient, holistic book that, in addition to intrigue, reveals many important topics.

A student is killed in a prestigious private school. An anonymous note on the bulletin board for girls' secrets becomes a new lead. The author immerses the reader in a day of investigation painted by the minute. In parallel, we are witnessing the prehistory of the tragedy. nine0003

"Viy", Nikolai Gogol

The case when a book from the school curriculum is read in one breath. The mystical story "Viy" stands out among the rest of Gogol's works with fascinating twists and an eerie atmosphere.

The hero of the story is a student of the Kyiv Theological Academy Khoma Brut. He must read prayers in a locked church over the body of a dead girl for three nights. The deceased turned out to be a witch. She came to life and began hunting for Khoma, calling for help from the evil spirits, led by the monstrous Viy. It's scary to read, but hard to put down. nine0003

Reading to children from 0 to 3

Let's talk about how to read with babies from birth to three years old: how to instill in children a love of reading, teach them to listen to poems and fairy tales, look at illustrations, and how to choose books for the youngest category of readers.
But first, a few words about why you need to read to children, who for the most part have not yet really learned to speak. Reading children's books is a whole complex of activities. It consists of viewing illustrations, listening to text, matching text and pictures. Reading with a child is a serious job of developing the ability to listen, look at and notice details, read symbols and guess the meaning. By reading to a young child, we contribute to the development of his intellect, broaden his horizons, answer his questions, enrich his emerging speech. In addition, reading is a pleasant form of leisure, a way to distract an upset or naughty baby, one of the elements of the ritual of preparing for sleep, and it is also a whole world of fairy tales, without which it is difficult to imagine a happy childhood. nine0003

From birth to 6 months
Actually, the process of reading with children begins long before reading itself. In order for the baby to show interest in books, it is important that he masters two skills - the ability to listen and the ability to look at pictures.
It is known that the child's hearing develops in the womb and even before birth, the baby is able to hear and perceive the voices of parents, music, sounds of nature. And this is the valuable sensory baggage that you can give your baby even before he is born. During pregnancy, try to surround yourself and your baby with only pleasant sounds, arrange relaxation sessions more often, listen to good music, talk to your baby and tell him stories. And the meaning of fairy tales is absolutely not important here, your intonation, rhythm and pace of a work of art are much more important. When the baby is born, those poems and fairy tales performed by you, which he heard before he was born, will have a calming effect on him, and parents will always find something to tell the baby to console him or entertain him. nine0229 As the baby grows up, the parental repertoire will gradually expand - to the fairy tales or poems already familiar to the child, nursery rhymes, jokes, lullabies and songs will be added. The book as it is is not yet needed here, but the verses of Barto, Chukovsky and Marshak memorized by heart will come in handy, as well as funny rhymes about the clubfoot bear and others that our mothers and grandmothers told us.
Your newborn baby grows and develops, and at the same time, his vision develops. Such an important organ in the knowledge of the world. When, by about three or four weeks, the baby learns to concentrate his eyes for a few seconds and thoroughly examines the faces of dad and mom - and these are the most important objects to look at at this age, you can offer him other objects that the baby will be happy to look at. These can be black and white pictures depicting lines, patterns or geometric shapes, as well as fairly large toys painted in one bright color. Such objects are able to hold the attention of newborn babies for a long time, and the ability to concentrate the gaze develops vision and enhances brain activity. nine0229 Already later, by three or four months, you will offer the child pictures that are more complex in color and shape - these can be drawings or photographs depicting people, animals, vehicles. Plus, you will show the child the world around - an apartment, a street. It is very important at the same time to pronounce the names of the objects that the baby sees.
So, from the age of birth to six months, "reading" is a synthesis of two actions - looking at pictures and objects, as well as listening to works of art in the background. nine0003

6 months to 1 year
Perhaps your baby is already sitting, but even if not, then he probably already lies on his tummy for a long time or half-sitting in your arms. And for sure, he is showing more and more interest in everything that surrounds him.
It's time to get your first children's book. We are talking about cardboard baby books, which consist of a small number of dense, durable and safe pages. In fact, the pages are everything. Children like to manipulate the book by turning the pages - this, in addition to everything, is also a great exercise for developing fine motor skills. Most likely, the book will be tried on the tooth, but it will be reviewed one way or another. Do not buy a lot of baby books, two or three will be enough. Pretty soon you will see that the baby is ready to move on and then you can choose more meaningful books for reading together. The choice of the first book is a responsible matter. nine0003

Here are some rules to help you:

• The book must have thick cardboard pages, the binding must be of high quality. It is important to be sure that when the child picks up the book, it will remain intact.
• Simplicity of illustrations. Ideally, when one image is placed on one page, if this is a plot, then it should be as simple as possible. It is still difficult for a child at this age to perceive a large number of details, he also does not understand the complex actions of the characters. The simpler the image, the more recognizable it will be to the child - accordingly, the interest in the book will be higher. nine0252
• Moderate colors. Ideally, if the book contains only four primary colors - red, yellow, green, blue (not counting black and white). The diversity of the image, again, will not be useful, but will only tire the child.
• Realistic pictures. The crocodile should be green and the tomato should be red. This is one of the most important points. A child at this age absorbs information in a colossal volume, and the inconsistency in its content is now absolutely useless. The same applies to the appearance of animals. Often artists like to depict animals in clothes, but this is absolutely contrary to the real idea of ​​a cat or dog, for example. In the future, in more adult books, when the child will already be oriented in the world of objects and will understand what is reality and what is a fairy tale, then the cat can be in a dress, and in a hat, and with beads (if this corresponds to the plot). At the initial stage of understanding the world, a cat should look like a cat - four paws, a mustache, ears and a tail. nine0252

So, the ideal book for babies from six months old is a small cardboard format, in which each page shows a picture, the words in such a book are optional. You will simply tell the child about what is shown in the picture - this will be the first fairy tale.
When you choose a book for your six-month-old baby, you need to find a moment when the child will be in a good mood, put him in your arms or lie down next to him and turn the pages of the book, sometimes saying what is depicted on them. Such “reading” will become the baby’s favorite pastime for a long time, he will especially like it when the baby learns to turn the pages on his own. nine0229
From one to two years
Among children and parents who love books, there is even a list of books that are ideal for kids of this age. We can say that these are win-win options:

1. V. Bianchi "The Fox and the Mouse" - an excellent edition illustrated by Yu. Vasnetsov;
2. E. Karl "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" - world bestseller;
3. E. Karl "From Head to Feet" - also a favorite book of kids all over the world; nine0252
4. Russian folk tales and nursery rhymes illustrated by Y. Vasnetsov;
5. Children's books by Japanese writer Yusuke Yonezu.

Usually these books instantly become favorites among kids and are read to holes. They are valuable, first of all, for their illustrations, their small texts are simple and uncomplicated. These books are just perfect for learning to relate pictures to text - an important skill that will come in handy for a child in the future. nine0229 The kid grows up and his interest in reading continues to grow - at some point you will understand that the reading list should be expanded and collections of poems by K. Chukovsky, S. Marshak, A. Barto, B. Zakhoder, as well as fairy tales V Suteeva.
Encourage any child's interest in books. It happens that in the entire collection of poems the baby is attracted only by one quatrain or one picture, read and examine them again and again. Only your sincere interest, your interest and patience (sometimes you have to read the same verse thirty times a day) can support the love of reading in a baby. nine0229 Also an important point of this period is looking at plot pictures, and it will remain so for a long time, becoming more complicated and changing depending on the age and interests of the child. For one or two one-year-old children, the pictures for looking at should be quite simple and clear, selected by subject - transport, animals, vegetables, fruits. Books like encyclopedias for the smallest respond well to this request.

The child will periodically leaf through these books, linger on the objects he likes, poke his finger or otherwise attract your attention, wanting to know the name of the object. When the baby starts talking, you will ask him what he sees in the pictures, and this will become one of the most beloved joint games. nine0229 Looking at pictures, we not only name objects, we also describe their properties, actions, and come up with plots. Thus, we develop the child's imagination, form his vocabulary, enrich his speech, help him learn to look at the same objects differently.
Now quite popular and loved by many children are books for viewing by Suzanne Berner, Doro Goebel and other authors - these books are a real treasure for showing parental improvisation in describing the plots of illustrations. nine0003

Books with windows, with moving and tactile elements are a good help in attracting a child to look at pictures. Such publications are able to keep the attention of the child for a long time, increase his interest in the content of the book.

Reading for children aged one to two is the world of illustration. Everything that is written about should be drawn - this is very important for the baby, because he himself cannot yet imagine a bull that walks on a swinging board, but he is happy to discover objects that he has just heard about on the pages of the book. nine0003

Two to three
If you started “reading” to a child literally from birth, then most likely at this age you will already be well versed in children's literature, and the reading list for children of two or three years is so wide and varied that it is difficult to cover it in one article. But if you are just starting to read with your baby and it seems to you that he does not show much interest in books, then you can resort to little tricks.

• Choose books for your child based on their interests. For example, if your kid is interested in animals, then perhaps he will be interested in the poems of S. Marshak or B. Zakhoder;
• Always carry a book in your bag. If you have to take the child on a trip, queues, etc., then you can offer him to read;
• Act out home plays based on famous fairy tales. It is very easy even at home to show the performances "Teremok", "Kolobok" or "Turnip", so you will introduce the child to works of art. After that, invite the baby to read together about the heroes he loves; nine0252
• Leave books in the public domain;
• Read aloud! Even if the child is playing or doing something, and you sit next to him and start reading a book, sooner or later the baby will show interest and join you.

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