International Reading Association Newsletter Weekly Project: Effective Literacy Website #2 Exploration

Reading Rockets is a website designed to help young kids learn how to read and shows various ways on how adults can help. Reading Rockets works with PBS to provide resources for teachers and parents to help their children with reading and to also help struggling readers. On the website you will also find articles on teaching reading, video interviews with popular authors, research on classroom strategies, and videos to help parents. The videos provided also come in several languages so that it can be helpful to anyone around the world.

Teachers can use this website as an additional professional development resource. Reading Rockets provides a self-paced course called Reading 101: A Guide to Teaching Reading and Writing. It is designed for K-3rd Grade teachers. It provides information and strategies to help students become better readers and writers.

Reading Rockets also uses PBS programs. They have shows that help parents and teachers help their children to become better readers. The Reading Rockets PBS Series is linked below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1Vk2kLPDi0&list=PLP5w4Q3UaOiXHD2z5bnwv6zXJ-tkie4oD

Overall, I really enjoy this website and find it to be a really helpful resource. I especially love the videos and PBS series. I will continue to use this website for additional tips and strategies for my struggling students.

International Reading Association (IRA) Newsletter Weekly Project: Effective Literacy Website #1 Exploration

         RoomRecess.com is a website where children can play fun and engaging educational games for free. This website offers over 150 games, stories, and video lessons for kids. It was designed by an elementary school teacher whose goal was to develop games that reinforce fundamental learning concepts in math, reading, spelling, language arts, typing, and problem solving. The best thing about RoomRecess.com is that it is absolutely free. Students do not need an online account or log in to play these games. They can simply open up the website, load up the game, and enjoy playing while they learn. 

            Children can also compete with others from around the world in real time. They also have the option to practice learning skills on their own. Many of these games can be aligned to the Common Core State Standards. They also have audio stories. Children have the option to read or have the stories be read to them. This helps bring the story to life!

            Room Recess is a great resource for students. It’s been a favorite to both parents and educators. It has popped up on numerous search engines and has become one of the most accessed educational websites. I don’t have any children of my own, but I did enjoy letting my nephews use this website on their free time. I plan on making my students practice some skills on this website as well. I know they’ll enjoy many of the games RoomRecess.com has to offer.