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Why and when should Read Naturally students switch from one-minute to whole-story timings?

Students taking high-stakes tests must have the capacity to read for extended periods of time. Whether they’re reading a series of questions, or reading to comprehend a lengthy passage, endurance is crucial to their success. How can we help build reading stamina?

Sharpening a new stack of pencils, decorating a clean bulletin board, organizing the books on the shelf… year after year, certain rituals mark the beginning of school. For Read Naturally teachers, certain rituals also mark the beginning of your program. We want to direct your attention to some previous blog posts—“oldies but goodies”—that contain valuable information about getting your Read Naturally program off to the best possible start.

I’m in book club with a group of friends. When the book club began, everyone was eager to read again. “I haven’t read an actual book in so long!” many of the members confessed. So we got together and had rich discussions about wonderful books… for a few months. Then we started discussing TED Talks. Now we mostly just get together and chat. I’ve done a little investigating and have come to realize that this trajectory is strikingly common among book clubs. Why don’t we read books anymore?

As you think about Read Naturally’s role in your school this coming fall, you’ll want to consider the most effective way for teachers and reading specialists to be trained in the strategy and materials. Read Naturally offers a variety of training options to accommodate any situation.

​In the next two weeks, five major education conferences will take place in cities across the country. Read Naturally will be presenting and/or exhibiting at all five events. If you’re attending one of these shows, please stop at our booth and visit with us.

ReadNaturally.Com Just Keeps Getting Better
When we redesigned our website this past spring, our goal was to create a user-friendly information hub where educators would feel supported and involved. Based on the feedback we’ve gotten so far, site users have been extremely satisfied. If you haven’t had a chance yet, be sure to check it out! We want to draw your attention to a couple of areas we’re especially excited about.

A Big Vocabulary Boost: Just Like Splat!
Splat-O-Nym, our new iPad app, is a fun and effective way for your students to build vocabulary. Students master synonyms, antonyms, and words-in-context as they learn thousands of useful new words. They have so much fun “splatting” words, accumulating points, and moving from level to level, they often forget that they’re learning!

Does “summer reading” sound to your students like a chore? You know reading can be just as exciting as any other summer activity, but your students may need a little convincing. These last couple weeks of school, take some time to brainstorm and share all the fun possibilities for summer reading. The web is full of information on this topic. Here are a few of our favorite resources:

This week, young readers from coast to coast will unite in celebrating the longest-running literacy initiative in the nation: Children’s Book Week. For the first time ever, official events are being held in all 50 states! In addition, classrooms, libraries, and booksellers across the nation will commemorate this important literary holiday with readings and activities.

Make Your Student a STAR!

Read Naturally Star of the Month​Share your student’s success story—nominate him or her for our Star of the Month award. Win a Barnes & Noble gift card for the student and a Read Naturally gift certificate for your class!

pointer Submit a Star-of-the-Month entry

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