Welcome to another online addition of the Arizona Promising Practices forum. For those new to this service, each issue, which will now be sent to you on a regular basis, will focus on:

(1) Recommended National Educational Websites; and

(2) One promising practice article in condensed form. We welcome your recommendations for improvement to this forum or suggestions on future topics (these will be wide ranging so if nothing in this update interests you, hold on for future editions!) The Arizona Promising Practices Forum and website, www.azpromisingpractices.com is a FREE resource of the Arizona Department of Education.  

In this issue the Promising Practices Forum we have been asked to provide researched based tips on promoting reading in the classroom and at home. Whether you teach regular education or special education, this article will provide you useful, hands on tips that are easy to use and effective.

National Website of Importance – We have been asked to provide information and resources for students who may be homeless. In working with homeless education issues, you are not alone. Each state supplies resources to assist you in this effort. Check out the National Center for Homeless Education State Resource Site to find the coordinator who can be of additional assistance to you - http://www.serve.org/nche/stateres.htm  

Promising Practice Research and Teaching Tips

Tips For Working With Families

• Encourage each family to set a goal that fits in with their schedule - as little as 15 minutes a day or as much as 30 minutes.  Stress consistency over time.
• Use a family contract or pledge sheet, which has space for keeping track of books read over a period of time.
• Have read-aloud nights at your school or library to stimulate interest - Harry Potter Night might prove popular!  Share tips with parents on how to select good read-aloud books.
• Make a read aloud display.  Highlight favorite titles; create space for people to share their favorite books, and write their comments.
• Invite local celebrities and other guest readers - the police chief, the mayor, the local high school football star.  High school students can make great read- aloud partners for younger children.
• Contact ministers of local churches to help promote the program.  Stress the positive benefits of parents bonding and connecting with their children.
• Create a read-aloud spot in the classroom or library - borrow a comfy loveseat for parent and child to sit together, add a lamp and a throw rug.
• Have a special program for foster parents in training, through your social services agency.
• Have a drawing - for each book read aloud, a family can enter to win a family prize.  Give prizes related to reading aloud, and family bonding, such as a favorite book, or a family meal at a local restaurant.
• Host a read aloud celebration for all families who take part in the program.  Award copies of The Read Aloud Handbook for special recognition.  Give out certificates to families who meet their goals.

Tips for Classroom Reading

• Skim the book yourself before you share it with a group of children.  this will give you a chance to judge whether you like the book, as well as alert you to any difficulties with language or subject matter.
• Make your listeners comfortable.  It's easier for them to pay attention if they're facing away from bright windows and lots of other activity.
• Find the best time for reading each day.  Children will listen better after recess or lunch than they will before.
• Start small.  If your children haven't been read to much, your first sessions may need to be short.  For first and second graders, ten or fifteen minutes may be enough.  Older more experienced listeners may enjoy half-hour sessions.
• Pay attention to your listeners.  Look up from the book from time to time to make eye contact with the group.  This way you'll know whether they're still spellbound or ready for a break.
• Don't stop!  Middle school students are not too old for reading aloud.  In fact, some of the best books for reading aloud are most enjoyed by this age group.
• Have fun.  Don't try to read books you don't enjoy yourself - your lack of enthusiasm will come through.  Do allow this to be fun for you and the children.