January 3, 2020 Setting the Stage for Early Literacy “Setting the Stage for Early Literacy” is chock full of fun, just-right activities that build oral language and early reading and writing skills. Amy Mascott and Allison McDonald break down the hows and whys of early literacy into bite-size pieces to help busy teachers support their youngest learners’ individual development without pushing them too hard. Participants will leave with ideas for creating a literacy-rich environment; literacy activities for whole-class, small-group, and independent learning; strategies for building an effective home-school connection; and much more. This webinar is suitable for child care, pre-k, and kindergarten teachers. Time for questions will be provided. Registration To register for this webinar, visit the event webpage. *Information provided by edWeb.net
December 11, 2019 Early Language and Literacy Chats | Winter Sessions Join the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) this winter to discuss hot topics around early language and literacy development. From January through March 2020, 3o-minute chat sessions will be hosted on the second and fourth Friday at 8:30 a.m and repeated at 1:30 p.m. Participants will gain access to resources to share with families and use in their classrooms and centers. PQAS credit hours and infant/toddler hours available. Available Dates January 10, 2020: Those First Words January 24, 2020: Conversations with Kids February 7, 2020: Books, Books, Books! February 21, 2020: Print is Everywhere March 6, 2020: Sounds All Around! March 20, 2020: Celebrating Dual Language Learners More Information For more information, visit the event Padlet page. *Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key
December 10, 2019 Early Language and Literacy Chat Join the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) this winter to discuss hot topics around early language and literacy development. From January through March 2020, 3o-minute chat sessions will be hosted on the second and fourth Friday at 8:30 a.m and repeated at 1:30 p.m. Participants will gain access to resources to share with families and use in their classrooms and centers. PQAS credit hours and infant/toddler hours available. Available Dates January 10, 2020: Those First Words January 24, 2020: Conversations with Kids February 7, 2020: Books, Books, Books! February 21, 2020: Print is Everywhere March 6, 2020: Sounds All Around! March 20, 2020: Celebrating Dual Language Learners More Information For more information, visit the event Padlet page.
November 22, 2019 Kate’s Kid Book Bash Join Reading is Fundamental (RIF) Pittsburgh on December 8 at Ace Hotel Pittsburgh for Kate’s Kid Book Bash! About Join RIF Pittsburgh for a children’s book festival to celebrate the life of beloved Pittsburgh children’s author, Kate Dopirak. Activities will include a children’s book art auction, storytimes, and book sales/signing by other authors such as Jonathan Auxier, Sharon G. Flake, and Nick Courage! Admission is free. All proceeds benefit RIF Pittsburgh. Share this flyer with your network.
November 7, 2019 Raising Readers: Picture Book Selection Potluck Parents and caregivers of young children are invited to join Trying Together for two sessions to review, discuss, and choose quality picture books! About By participating, parents and caregivers will help Trying Together select which picture books will be read during the upcoming Raising Readers Together Club series. This is a potluck event, so main course or side dishes are appreciated. Trying Together will provide dessert. The Spring 2020 Raising Readers Together Club series will run February 6–March 26, 2020 on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. at The Homewood Early Learning Hub and is suitable for children ages five and younger. More Information For questions, contact Cynthia Battle at cynthia@tryingtogether.org or 412.567.1304. Share this flyer with your network.
October 16, 2019 Buzzword Talk & Play Series #6 Join Buzzword Pittsburgh on Wednesdays from November 6 to December 11 for Talk & Play Series 6! All events are free for learners ages five and under, with their caregivers, and will include activities that enhance vocabulary and literacy skills. A light dinner will be provided. Program Schedule The schedule of events is as follows: Wednesday, November 6 • Word of the Day: POETRY with Pittsburgh Festival Opera and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Wednesday, November 13 • Word of the Day: GENRE with Pittsburgh Festival Opera and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Wednesday, November 20 • Word of the Day: OPPOSITE with Pittsburgh Festival Opera and Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Wednesday, December 4 • Word of the Day: CRESCENDO with Pittsburgh Festival Opera and Carnegie Science Center Wednesday, December 11 • Word of the Day: CHORUS with Pittsburgh Festival Opera and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre More Information For more information, contact Jan Jones at jan@tryingtogether.org. Click here to view the Facebook event page. Share this flyer with your network.
October 4, 2019 Diversity in Context: Stretching the Idea of Building Diverse Collections Join Michelle Luhtala, Library Department Chair at New Canaan High School, on October 16 for her webinar, “Diversity in Context: Stretching the Idea of Building Diverse Collections.” About For this webinar, Michelle Luhtala invites you for a lively discussion on building diverse literary collections in honor of Teen Read Week 2019. As young readers often relate to characters who share some of their own characteristics, it’s important to build collections that celebrate not only diverse characters but also a diverse range of experiences. In addition, this webinar will discuss how to encourage young readers to empathize with characters who may seem unfamiliar to them. Time for questions will be provided. Registration To register and learn more, visit the edWeb website. *Information provided by edWeb
September 6, 2019 Raising Readers Together Club | Ages 0-5 The Raising Readers Together Club runs weekly and explores the importance of acceptance, equality, and tolerance through reading. Thursday sessions are suitable for children ages five and younger. Raising Readers provides free books, discussion, food, songs, storytelling, and resources. Fall 2019 Books: September 19: You Hold Me Up September 26: Sign Off October 3: When Aidan Became a Brother & Mommy’s Khimar October 10: Magnets Push, Magnets Pull October 17: Mixed: A Colorful Story October 24: How Rocket Learned to Read October 31: Pop Pop and Me* November 7: Mary Had a Little Glam *The October 31 Raising Readers Together Club session will be hosted at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Homewood – 7101 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208. Questions For questions or more information, contact Cynthia Battle at 412.567.1304 or cynthia@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
Raising Readers Together Club | Tweens & Teens The Raising Readers Together Club runs weekly and explores the importance of acceptance, equality, and tolerance through reading. Wednesday sessions are suitable for tweens and teens. Raising Readers provides free books, discussion, food, songs, storytelling, and resources. Featured Book September 18 – October 30: Ugly by Robert Hoge Poetry Party Event On November 6, Raising Readers Together participants ages six and older are invited to a poetry party at the Frick Environmental Center! The field trip will celebrate Heinz History Center’s “From Slavery to Freedom Film Series 2019,” featuring a screening of the documentary, “Paul Laurence Dunbar: Beyond the Mask.” Bring your favorite Paul Laurence Dunbar poem and learn more about the first African American to achieve national fame as a writer. Poetry Party November 6, 2019 5:30 – 8 p.m. Frick Environmental Center 2005 Beechwood Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Questions For questions or more information, contact Cynthia Battle at 412.567.1304 or cynthia@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your network.
August 7, 2019 Education Dept. Launches Online Book Nook Initiative The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) recently launched an initiative aimed at promoting literacy even when school isn’t in session. Each week, PDE unveils a new video featuring a prominent Pennsylvanian reading a children’s book to an at-home audience. Upcoming Readings The initiative kicked off with Secretary Pedro Rivera reading the book, Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes, one of his personal favorite books to read to young audiences. In upcoming weeks, the initiative will feature several officials from the Wolf Administration reading books related to the work they lead, including: Brent Miller, Trooper | Richard Scarry’s A Day at the Police Station Rachel Levine, DOH Secretary | Charlotte Cowan’s Katie Caught a Cold Dr. David Volkman, Executive Deputy Secretary of Education | Natasha Wing’s The Night Before the Fourth of July John Wetzel, Corrections Secretary | Becky Birtha’s Far Apart, Close in Heart: Being a Family when a Loved One is Incarcerated Patrick McDonnell, Environmental Protection Secretary | Sesame Street’s The Monster at the End of This Book Glenn Miller, Commissioner for Libraries | Lindsay Barrett George’s Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse Where to Watch The videos are accessible on PDE’s Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube pages. Learn More To learn more, read the full press release or visit the PDE website. *Information provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
