September marks National Literacy Month! This month, Digitalliteracy.gov will feature resources that explore how digital literacy and using the Internet intersects with the educational environment. According to the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL), 90 million Americans read at basic and below basic levels. Additionally, research by the Pew Internet & American Life Project shows that teens use the Internet as an essential study aid outside the classroom and 78% say they believe the Internet helps them with schoolwork1.
Check out some of the resources below to learn more:
Check out how communities across the country are recognizing National Literacy month!
The National Book Festival is the Library of Congress's annual celebration of books and reading. The 11th annual National Book Festival, organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C is free and open to the public. It will be held on September 24th from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on September 25th from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Authors, illustrators, and poets from across the country will entertain participants with insights into their work and sign books. The theme of the 2011 festival will be “Celebrating the joys of reading aloud.” Other book festivals and literary events are held nationwide; to find a festival near you, visit http://www.read.gov/resources/index.php.
Reading Connections, in Greensboro, North Carolina launched a “100 tutors in 100 days” campaign in conjunction with National Literacy Month. They seek to recruit 100 volunteer tutors in 100 days to help serve students and adults with low literacy skills. Reading Connections offers one-on-one tutoring and small group instructions focused on basic reading, writing, math, employment readiness, and basic computer skills. The instruction is aimed to help students achieve and improve the skills needed in the workplace. The program currently has 375 students enrolled and hopes to reach an additional 108 students that await a reading tutor. The “100 tutors in 100 days” seeks to close that gap. For additional information please, visit their website.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Education recognized September 8th as International Literacy Day and Florida Literacy Month. “Florida Literacy Month serves as an excellent reminder to share our passion for reading with family and friends,” said Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson. To celebrate, the Florida Park Service offered free entrance to all Florida State Parks on September 11th with the presentation of a library book or library card or with the donation of a new or gently used family-friendly book. Additionally, earlier this summer, Florida launched a Summer Literacy Adventure where Florida students pledged to read throughout the summer break. The winning school will be announced later this year, and each student will receive a one-day use pass to Florida State Parks. You can find out about more literacy events held in Florida throughout September here.1http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2001/The-Internet-and-Education/Summary-of-Findings.aspx
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