Ready, Set, Read-Tacoma! is a free preschool literacy kindergarten-readiness program which aims to help pre-k children and their families prepare for the transition into a school setting. During the Summer reading Program, 7 books are selected which will have STEAM applications. Each week, during the month of July, the librarian holds a story time with pre-k children ages 3-5. Each book focuses on one or more of the prerequisite kindergarten reading skills, helping participating families enrich their own at-home story times and extend learning opportunities. After story time, children are able to check out books from the preschool collection to take home to read with their families. We place a set of 75 preschool age appropriate books in each elementary school’s library.
Early literacy programs that apply STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) materials, and activities are the core part of what each librarian’s will offer for 2016 Summer Reading Program.
•Young children will gain self-confidence and a love for reading, books, and the library
•The groundwork will be laid for children to become lifelong readers and learners
•Entire families will have the opportunity to participate in age-appropriate summer reading programs
•Completion of the program will give children a sense of accomplishment and belonging
•Parents and caregivers will gain knowledge about early literacy and learning activities at the library that they can continue at home
•The library may become a community destination for more families during the summer
PROGRAM GOALS:
• Offering families and children access to a specially selected book list and activities designed by early childhood specialists.
• Teacher-librarians and other professional volunteers will model reading strategies and hold a child’s interest.
• Parents and families will receive instruction on how to engage their child /children in the high level skills and activities that are included at the end of each book.
• Our program will monitor student progress as they enter kindergarten.
To sign up for one of this year’s summer reading programs, please complete the parent consent form below and return to thartso@tacoma.k12.wa.us.
