Recently several opportunities to support reading and literacy have presented themselves through some fun online links. As we start back to school from winter break here are a few worth sharing.

Literacy requires attainable high interest reading practice and writing practice on the part of the learner. For the teacher this means matching each student with the right text. One method of determining a student’s reading skills is through a reading inventory. Reading inventories can be done individually or as a group. The Utah State Office of Education provides descriptions and instructions about how to construct, administer, and score a variety of group and individual reading inventories.

What to read? Getting students into high interest reading ensures continued reading practice. There are lots of good sources for reading on the Internet. Funbrain has online book serials where students can read portions of a book online each day. Fresno County Office of Education offers online books talks to get students interested in the latest titles at our Bookcast site. What should I read next? is a website devoted to helping readers find another book like the one they just read. Simply enter the title and author of a book that you enjoyed and a suggestion will be forthcoming. Fresno Public Library has a “What to Read Next” web site with helpful links about new books and book reviews.

Comprehension increases when students are asked to read and then talk or write about what they read. California Read-a-thon is offering students the opportunity to blog about what they read, and read the blogs of other students April 16th & 17th, 2010. Students are encouraged to read for fun and reflect on what they have read in a blog post through their school library. FCOE Library Services will help interested schools or classrooms participate by posting their reading blogs on Reading in Action. Join us as we use technology to further literacy.