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dodea reads

Introduction | Resources

The Education Directorate is providing a focus on curriculum implementations. This year DoDEA will emphasize the importance of reading as a passport to lifelong learning through the DoDEA Reads theme. The President's "No Child Left Behind" act reflects the importance of the Nation's reading focus. In addition, DoDEA's Goal 1 of the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) reflects the same focus of high achievement in reading for all students. DoDEA Reads addresses the habit of reading across all curricular areas and grade levels for students, educators, and for the school community. Current research identifies some best practices in reading for the classroom, school, and principal as:

Classroom Practices

  • Model reading. "Teachers who are good models help ensure that schools don't just graduate students who can read, but people who DO read" (Heinemann, 1998).
  • Model and explain reading processes.
  • Teach reading in other content fields.
  • Teach reading as a process.
  • Schedule time for students to talk about books they have read, i.e., book talks, literature circles, book study, Socratic seminars.
  • Do read-alouds every day.

School Practices

  • Schools that are effective in teaching reading have an ethos that supports reading
    (Heinemann, 1998).
  • Schools have vigorous leadership and high expectations for student learning; well stocked and well managed libraries and library personnel who help match books to students
    (Heinemann, 1998)
  • Schools allocate or reallocate resources to encourage reading of many types (Educational Research Service, 1995).
  • School time is organized to encourage reading across subject areas (Educational Research Service, 1995).
  • Young readers need large blocks of time within the school day for reading.
Principal Practices (Heinemann, 1998)
  • Be a reader and a writer.
  • Be an audience for students. Ensure classrooms have the reading materials needed.
  • Celebrate literacy in the school, i.e., incorporate reading into school events.
  • Help teachers communicate to parents how reading is taught.
  • Be an instructional leader who is knowledgeable about best practices in reading.
  • Read the research and pass on good ideas and articles to teachers.

Suggestions for implementing the DoDEA Reads Campaign at various levels within DoDEA are:

Individual

  • Read while exercising.
  • Read about possible careers.
  • Get a library card and use it.
  • Read every night before going to sleep.
  • Take a book on every trip-read on the plane, etc.
  • Give a book as a gift.
  • Read aloud to family and friends.
  • Join a book discussion group.

School Media Centers and Military/Community Libraries

  • Encourage personal recommendations for books worth reading.
  • Publicize and distribute lists of recommended books for all ages.
  • Use local newspapers to encourage reading.
  • Sponsor reading contests.
School/District/Area
  • Focus on the importance of reading in all curriculum areas, i.e., math, science, physical education, etc.
  • Use newsletters/area/district Web sites to spread the word about the importance of reading
    • Have a DoDEA Reads web page at the district level.
    • Have a DoDEA Reads web page at the school level with links to the district's web page.
  • Have "Passports for Literacy" for elementary students to fill out as they complete various standards in literacy, i.e., reading 25 books, reading books in 4 genres, etc.
  • Sponsor a book discussion at educator days, administrator conferences, curriculum or principal meetings.
  • Form a reading promotion partnership with other schools in districts.
  • Organize Book Drives and Book Exchanges.
  • Schedule Best Author Contests.
  • Have Classroom wide Book Logs.
  • Conduct Book of the Month/Author of the Month.
  • Have "If these Books Could Talk" Commentaries about books read school-wide.
  • Expand support for "Read Across America"-March 3, 2003.
  • Schedule Book Festivals-see the Library of Congress National Book Festival Home Page at http://www.loc.gov/bookfest .
  • Develop home and summer reading programs.
  • Sponsor public service announcements.
    • Invite community leaders to focus on the importance literacy plays in the work force.

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    Last Reviewed February 16, 2005
    Contact Information
    DoDEA
    Coordinator
    4040 North Fairfax Drive
    Arlington, VA 22203
    (703) 588-3158/3160
     
 
 
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