The Skaneateles Library is launching a dedicated literacy hub aimed at supporting new and struggling readers.
The Road to Decode Collection is based on the science of reading, with kits, books, games, and resources to help kids learn to read and to improve their reading skills with the guidance of an adult.
To complement these resources, the library is hosting a series of community workshops for adults to gain deeper knowledge in the science of reading and develop skills to help the young readers in their lives.
According to the National Assessment for Educational Progress, there has been a significant decline in reading skills during the last three years due to the pandemic, which only exacerbated an already entrenched literacy crisis.
Thirty-seven percent of US children read below a basic level according to the Nation’s Report Card, and nearly 130 million American adults read below a sixth-grade level according to the U.S Department of Education.
For Librarian for Kids and Teens Mary Beth Schwartzwalder, the collection and workshops are the culmination of more than a year of research and planning in an effort to help not only the kids who are struggling in our community, but all kids as they learn to become readers.
“Humans are born with language skills, but we’re not born with reading skills,” she said. “That part can be much more complicated. It requires specific instruction to figure out the written word, and the Road to Decode Collection addresses the decoding piece of the reading equation. The kits show families how decodable books work and make them accessible for adults and children to use together. ”
The Science of Reading workshops will explore how the brain learns to read, the systemic problems that are the root cause of the literacy crisis, and what you can do at home to support instruction in school.
This series is perfect for parents, caregivers, tutors, homeschoolers, and other community members interested in diving into the topic of how we learn to read.
Workshops will be led by Kelli Johnson, a former teacher and expert in reading education.
A Skaneateles School District representative will also be at each session.
Participants are encouraged but not required to attend all sessions and have the option to join either virtually via Zoom or in person at the library.
Visit skanlibrary.org to register.
Workshops will be held the following Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m.
Sept. 30: Priming the Brain for Reading
Oct. 14: The Brain as a Pattern Detector
Oct. 28: The Brain as a Pattern Detector II
Nov. 11: Vocabulary: More Than Just Dictionary Definitions
Nov. 18: Beyond Dick and Jane: Decodable Text as Training Wheels
The Road to Decode Collection and the Science of Reading Community Workshops are funded with support from the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County and New York State Coordinated Outreach Service Funds.
