Existing Programs, Brochures, and Ready-to-Use Ideas

From Ohio Ready to Read Wiki

This page features some great examples of early literacy programming in Ohio public libraries. In addition, some ready-to-use materials from these programs area available for download. If you would like to add a program your library has done, just click the "Edit" tab and add your ideas!  You may link to documents on your website, blog, etc., or upload the documents to this wiki.  For help uploading and linking to documents, see the Help page. 

• This presentation script from the Lorain Public Library System is meant to be used with some of the materials from the original Every Child Ready to Read research as well as the book You, Me, and the ABCs by Michael Rosen. You, Me, and the ABCs is full of easy daily activities that parents can do to strengthen their child's literacy skills. It is available for purchase from Gryphon House.  The script covers each of the six early literacy skills and how portions of the book may be used to support those skills.
• The Westerville Public Library created a booklet titled Born to Read that was distributed free of charge at urgent care offices, Ob/Gyn Offices, pediatrician offices, and various other social organizations. (Hint – it's in weird print layout, so it's easier to read if you print it out.)
• The Westerville Public Library also created a presentation for potential Born to Read community partners. While this presentation may not be a perfect fit for your organization, you can adjust it to fit your needs. This presentation was adapted from a staff training presented at a recent inservice day at WPL, which took about an hour. And that presentation was adapted from a staff training that Carol Mitchell did at the Greene County Public Library.
• Martie from the Evergreen Community Library in Metamora, OH has developed several fun and easy early literacy skill enhancing games for kids and caregivers. Here's a picture of the alphabet twister spinner.
• The Mansfield/Richland County Public Library has had success recruiting day cares and preschools for partnerships using this informative letter.
• The Dayton Metro Library has created a brochure promoting the use of books to support early literacy skills evaluated on the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment in Literacy (KRA-L). Early literacy book brochure.
• Worthington Libraries have had great success with their family early literacy craft program, Ready To Read Crafts On The Go.
• One excellent resource for math and science programming is the What’s the Big Idea curriculum from MotherGoosePrograms.org / The Vermont Center for the Book. While the curriculum itself is available for a fee, the What’s the Big Idea website has many free resources including brief articles on exploring math and science with children, additional resources on early math, science, and literacy, and activities for your programs. Even better, they offer free, archived webinars about specific math and science concepts. If you have yet to dabble in math and science programming, these resources will give you a jump start!
• Vanessa Bond created a workshop called Music and Movement in Children's Activities that helps you integrate singing, instrument playing, and movement into programming with young children.  The workshop handout (PDF, 10MB) is free for you to use. It includes a developmental chart of musical behaviors by age, and tips for working with children including singing, instrument playing, and movement. These materials tie in well to the ECRR2 practices of singing and playing. Contact Vanessa for more information or to schedule a workshop.