7 Super Ways to Celebrate National Family Literacy Month

Embrace all things reading and writing this November and celebrate National Family Literacy Month. Check out these seven super ideas for families of all shapes and sizes:

1. Fill a Little Free Library
Does your family have gently used books you no longer read? Help those literary gems find a new home by donating them to a Little Free Library in your neighborhood or town. Little Free Libraries are community-constructed mini-libraries posted in different neighborhoods or communities where residents are welcome to take a book and leave a book (or many!).

Use the interactive Map feature on littlefreelibrary.org or download the Little Free Library app to locate Little Free Libraries near you.

2. Volunteer as a Reading Tutor
Do you live in Asheville or Buncombe County? Interested in supporting a local elementary student in learning to read on grade level? Volunteer as an R2S Reading Tutor for the 2022-2023 school year!

New tutor training begins Thurs. December 1, 2022 on Zoom. Learn more and fill out a volunteer application today - click here.

3. Read-ify Screen Time

Whether it’s a long road trip to the family Thanksgiving or simply down-time on the weekends, there are plenty of screen time opportunities for children to practice foundational reading skills while having a blast.

Don’t miss this essential list of Free Reading Apps and Online Reading Resources to get started.

4. Learn More About the Science of Reading

Interested in how science shows us children learn to read? Curious about falling reading proficiency rates in our community and nation and how the history of reading instruction has impacted them? 

Don’t miss the latest podcast from Emily Hanford of American Public Media called “Sold a Story.” This six-episode series is a *must-listen* for anyone interested in supporting students and moving literacy forward in their communities. Check out this free comprehensive resource list to learn more about the science of reading too.

5. Write Away
Grocery lists, Thanksgiving menus, holiday cards, thank you notes, gift tags . . . the options are endless for writing together as a family. Encourage your kids to practice their reading and writing skills while pitching in with holiday prep and explore new vocabulary words together, i.e., words like gratitude, harvest, and feast.

BONUS: Enjoy this free printable Thanksgiving word search from Read to Succeed!

6. Read and Watch the Movies

Experience reading together as a family by diving into a good book and then watching the movie adaptation. Children’s books like Hair Love, Home, Shrek, Where the Wild Things Are, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas can all be read and watched in the same night!

Discuss similarities and differences in the book and movie after you read and watch it, and plan for another “Book to Movie” night in the future!

7. Sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Did you know children 0 - 5 can receive a new free age-appropriate book every month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library? It’s super easy to sign up and kickstart your collection - plus, books ship directly to your home! Visit Buncombe Partnership for Children to get started - click here.

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10 Ways to Celebrate National Family Literacy Month
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