Reading Resource Library: Gratitude, Mystery, Sports, Physical Health ▬ Barbara Bush Foundation

Reading Resources for Educators and Adult Learners

Reading Resource
 Library

Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy: 2021

Reading Resource Library
Q2 2021 RELEASE

This resource includes high interest books at a variety of reading levels and is intended to support adult education and literacy-focused teachers in their curriculum.

The following high interest books were selected to support an exploration of each topic. Each book has a summary and additional information, such as book trailers and links to reviews, in a separate slide deck.  Visit this link to access the books.

Gratitude

Mystery

Engaging books for adults

The Hangman Louise Penny

And Then There Were None Agatha Christie

The Body in the Woods: A Point Last Seen Mystery April Henry

The Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery Nancy Springer

Tunnels Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams

The Curious Incident of the Dog int he Night-Time Mark Haddon

Engaging books for adults and children

Nate the Great Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

The Missing Monster Card Lori Mortensen and Remy Simard

Pedro’s Mystery Club Fran Manushkin

Judy Moody: Girl Detective Megan McDonald

The Fenway Foul-Up David Kelly

The Detective Dog Julia Donaldson

The Maze of Bones Rick Riordan

The Buried Bones Mystery Sharon Draper

Sports

Physical Health

Family literacy starts with adult literacy. That’s why the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy is committed to supporting adult learners nationwide.

The Reading Resource Library is a tool created for educators to share with learners and is filled with topically relevant, educational, and captivating books for readers of all ages and levels. Start by selecting the specific release from the options below, then explore the Resource Guides for information like topic background, reading level, and even instructions on how best to use the Reading Resource Library.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 11

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old

(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

Poems by Students: “The Hill We Climb” ▬ West Coast Reader

Poems by Students

@WestcoastReader

West Coast Reader: 4.30.2021

Amanda Gorman is an African American poet. She wrote a poem called “The Hill We Climb.”

The LINC 7/8 class at the Cowichan Intercultural Society in Duncan, BC wanted to celebrate Black History Month in February and National Poetry Month in April.

Seven students wrote poems with the title “The Hill We Climb.” Here are some of the poems. Two other poems are available in the April issue of The Westcoast Reader.

Read & Listen

Miguel's poem

Jack's poem

Yumi's poem

Mei's poem

Zoilabet's poem

Zoilabet reading her poem

The June issue of the WCR is OUT!
It has articles about biking, community gardens, the Marine Detective, and more...

READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 7

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 11-13 yrs. old

(Sixth and Seventh graders)

3 Strategies To Engage Shy Adult Learners ▬ ABC Life Literacy Canada

3 Strategies To Engage Shy Adult Learners

@abclifeliteracy

ABC Life Literacy Canada: 4.14.2021

Children aren’t the only ones who sometimes lack the confidence to engage in class. Many adult students are also hesitant to participate in front of peers. Sometimes, the dread of answering incorrectly can cause some learners to avoid engaging at all.

As a literacy practitioner, you want to see all of your adult learners succeed in their studies, and that involves engagement in class. Here are three strategies to use when trying to engage shy adult learners in your literacy programs.

𝟏 Consider seating arrangements

𝟐 Make it relevant

𝟑 Ask them what they want

🔽
Conclusion

To get the most out of your literacy program, adult learners need to engage in class.   READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 11

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old

(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

2021 ProLiteracy Conference on Adult Literacy Awards ▬ May 3 Deadline

2021 ProLiteracy Conference on Adult Literacy Awards

ProLiteracy

Recognize those leading the way in adult literacy.

ProLiteracy

Nominate a worthy individual to have their work celebrated at the ProLiteracy Conference on Adult Literacy: San Antonio ▬ September 20-22

Submit a Nomination

DEADLINE:  MAY 3

Nominate a worthy individual or program for one of the following:

Ruth J. Colvin and Frank C. Laubach Award for Excellence in Community-based Adult Literacy
Recognizes outstanding tutor, trainer, teacher, volunteer, or program administrator*

Ruth J. Colvin and Frank C. Laubach Award for Adult Learner Excellence
Recognizes an outstanding adult learner*

Award for Program Innovation and Collaboration
Recognizes accomplishments resulting from a collaboration between different types of organizations*

NEW!
Award for Distance Learning Excellence
Recognizes accomplishments resulting from a collaboration between different types of organizations*

Dollar General Student of the Year Award
Recognizes an outstanding adult learner*

READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 15

Reading Level: very difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

 

Reader-friendly Non-fiction for Adults ▬ Decoda Literacy Solutions

Reader-friendly Non-fiction for Adults

@decodaliteracy

Decoda Literacy Solutions

Many adults who are practising their reading are interested in reader-friendly non-fiction. It is concrete, introduces useful vocabulary and can offer relevant information.

The Decoda Library has lots of reader-friendly non-fiction. Much of it is written for adults and some is written for children, but is not childish.

Here are some of the latest:

ANIMALS

Four new entries in the popular Amazing Animals series:

SCIENCE

WORDLESS NON-FICTION

This selection of Eye on Literacy wordless books does not include lesson plans. Other titles in this series in the library include ready-to-use lesson plans.

WORKPLACE

READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 9

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old

(Eighth and Ninth graders)

College App Helping Address Adult Literacy ▬ City of Glasgow College

College App Helping Address Adult Literacy

Citizen Literacy APP

FE News: 4.16.2021 by City of Glasgow College UK

A new smartphone app which supports adult literacy learners has been launched in Apple and Googleapp stores.

The Citizen Literacy app has been developed by City of Glasgow College in partnership with leading literacy experts and software developers from across the UK. 

It has grown from the college’s successful City Phonics programme which offers a first step in literacy for the adult beginner learner.

🔽
The app is specifically designed for low literacy users so traditional text-driven interfaces are not used. It uses voice and handwriting recognition technologies for learner input, and features virtual tutor voices who provide information and directions to learners. Adopted AI tools tune the app to an individual user’s local accent, making it more inclusive.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

March is Nutrition Month ▬ Westcoast Reader

March is Nutrition Month

@WestcoastReader

Westcoast Reader: 3.02.2021

Healthy eating is different for everyone. Everyone has their own culture and traditions. Everyone has their own preferences and nutritional needs. There is no “one-size-fits-all” for healthy eating.

This year’s theme is “Good for you! Dieticians help you find your healthy.”

Visit nutritionmonth2021.ca for more tips and ideas on healthy eating for you

7 tips to plan meals on a budget

🔽

➧ Bonus Material

➧ Exercises

➧ Comprehension Quiz

➧ Slower Reading Speed

➧ Natural Reading Speed

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READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 6

Reading Level: fairly easy to read.

Reader's Age: 10-11 yrs. olds

(Fifth and Sixth graders)

Reading Resources for Educators and Adult Learners ▬ Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

Reading Resources for Educators and Adult Learners

@BarbaraBushFdn

Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

Family literacy starts with adult literacy. That’s why the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy is committed to supporting adult learners nationwide.

In the resources below, created for educators to share with learners, you’ll find topically relevant, educational, and captivating books for readers of all ages and levels. Start by accessing the Resource Guides for information like topic background, reading level, and even instructions on how best to use the Reading Resource Library. Then, access the Reading Resource Library for the full list of texts and additional resources.

Civil Rights
high interest books that were selected to support an exploration of Civil Rights.

Activism
high interest books that were selected to support an exploration of Activism.

Fantasy/Science Fiction
high interest books that were selected to support an exploration of Fantasy/Science Fiction.

Inspirational Text
high interest books that are inspirational texts.

Reading Resource Library
high interest books at a variety of reading levels and is intended to support adult education and literacy-focused teachers in their curriculum.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level)

 

Barbara Bush Foundation Establishes the Robert and Dorothy King Technology Innovation Fund

Barbara Bush Foundation Establishes the Robert and Dorothy King Technology Innovation Fund with $2 Million Gift from King Philanthropies

@BarbaraBushFdn

Barbara Bush Foundation: 3.01.2021

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy is pleased to announce the establishment of the Robert and Dorothy King Technology Innovation Fund, made possible by a $2 million gift from King Philanthropies. The new fund will advance the Foundation’s work to address America’s low literacy crisis by driving the development of innovative educational technology solutions for adult learners and their families.

Nationwide, 130 million adults – 54% of Americans between the ages of 16 and 74 years old – lack proficiency in literacy, essentially reading below the equivalent of a sixth-grade level. Low literacy prevents millions of adults from fully engaging in society as parents, workers and citizens, lying at the core of multigenerational cycles of poverty, poor health and low educational attainment.

This crisis impacts not only individuals and families, but also the economic stability of our entire nation. A 2020 Gallup study commissioned by the Barbara Bush Foundation examined the impact of adult literacy on the U.S. economy, finding that the nation could be losing up to $2.2 trillion annually due to low adult literacy rates. Parental literacy is a particularly critical driver of both current and future economic mobility. A 2010 study by the National Institutes of Health found that a mother’s education level is the single greatest determinant of her children’s future academic success, outweighing every other factor including neighborhood and family income.

🔽
In today’s increasingly digital environment, successful literacy programs must leverage innovation to expand learning beyond the traditional classroom environment. While there are many educational technology solutions available for K-12 children, very few existing tools meet the unique needs of parents and adult learners. Through the Robert and Dorothy King Technology Innovation Fund, the Barbara Bush Foundation will continue its groundbreaking work to bridge this gap by identifying and scaling educational technology solutions for adults, including mobile apps and artificial intelligence, investing expertise to optimize and bring promising solutions to market.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 15

Reading Level: very difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

New Leadership Opportunity For Adult Learners & Practitioners ▬ VALUEUSA

New Leadership Opportunity For Adult Learners & Practitioners !

VALUEUSA: 2021

Are you a student in an adult education program who wants to gain valuable leadership skills? Are you a practitioner or community member who believes in VALUEUSA’s mission?

VALUEUSA is seeking current or former adult learners, alumni, and practitioners to join its leadership team and advance VALUEUSA’s three-year strategic plan.

Click Here to Apply for the Board

Click Here to Apply for Committee

 

DEADLINE TO APPLY: MARCH 30, 2021

 

BENEFITS:

By joining VALUEUSA’s BOD, a committee or key taskforce, you:

⬤ Advance a learner leadership social justice organization designed to help low literate adults change their lives and communities for the better

⬤ Gain important leadership skills you can use at work, at home, and in civic life

⬤ Help improve the field of adult education so that more adult learners can reach their learning goals

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

For the Board of Directors:

Current or former students in adult basic education or English literacy classes

For key committees and task forces:

⬤ Teachers, tutors, program administrators, staff developers, and other practitioners in the field

⬤ Community members who care about VALUEUSA’s mission

⬤ Anyone who is willing to lend their skills and talents to the leadership team

VALUEUSA is the only national organization governed and operated by current and former adult learners. Practitioners and community members can also play a key role on VALUEUSA’s leadership team by joining a key committee or task force.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED TO DO THE JOB WELL?

New members of the board, committees, and task forces should have some of the following strengths:

⬤ Understanding of the needs of adult learners from various adult learner populations, including:

⬤ Understanding of the why’s and how’s of adult learner leadership
(That is, why is it important and how might leadership be developed for US adult learners?)

⬤ Understanding of the adult education field
(e.g., who it serves, how it is structured and supported, and gaps in the system).

⬤ Special expertise in one or more of these areas:

EXPECTATIONS OF BOARD MEMBERS

WHAT OTHER SKILLS ARE HELPFUL TO HAVE OR TO LEARN AS YOU GO?

READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 18

Reading Level: very difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

Adult Literacy Reading Programs ▬ LDA

Adult Literacy Reading Programs

Literacy

LDA : 4.13.2014

A well-trained teacher or tutor in an adult literacy program should be trained in at least three methods, including the multisensory approach, which has proven to be effective for adult students with learning disabilities. A multisensory method uses a combination of visual, auditory and tactile-kinesthetic instruction to enhance memory and learning. 

Following is a list of multi sensory structured language programs. This list does not include every available adult literacy reading program; however, many of the programs listed are based on the “Orton Gillingham-Stillman Approach.” This approach is often described as the grandfather of many successful multisensory reading programs.

Literacy Reading Programs

Alphabetic Phonics

Alphabetic Phonics was developed by Lucius Waites, M.C. and Aylett R. Cox. Alphabetic Phonics is based on Orton-Gillingham techniques and emphasizes intense phonetic analysis of written language.

Barton Reading and Spelling System

Barton Reading and Spelling System was developed by Susan Barton. The Barton System is an Orton-Gillingham based program designed for volunteer tutors in adult literacy programs.

Multi-sensory Teaching Approach

Multisensory Teaching Approach (MTA) was developed by Margaret Taylor Smith. MTA is a comprehensive, multi-sensory program in reading, spelling, cursive handwriting, and alphabet and dictionary skills.

The Herman Method, Romar Publications

The Herman Method was developed by Renee Herman. Teaches decoding, sight words, structural analysis, contextual clues and dictionary skills with consistent emphasis on comprehension.

Landmark Methodology

Landmark Methodology is a structured multi-sensory reading, spelling and writing program.

Lindamood-Bell

Lindamood-Bell was developed by Patricia Lindamood and Nancy Bell. Lindamood-Bell program offers intensive treatment to develop reading, spelling, language comprehension, visual motor processing, and the ability to follow oral directions.

Orton-Gillingham Method

Orton-Gillingham Method was developed by Dr. Samuel Orton and Anna Gillingham. Orton-Gillingham Method was developed and published in 1935. A multi-sensory, structured reading and writing program.

Project Read

Project READ was developed by Dr. Mary Lee Enfield and Victoria Green.  Project READ is a method of teaching that is systematic, multi-sensory, concrete and involves direct instruction.

Slingerland Approach

Slingerland Approach was developed by Beth Slingerland. The Slingerland Approach is based on Orton-Gillingham techniques. All learning takes place through the involvement of the auditory, visual and kinesthetic motor channels.

Starting Over Starting Right

Starting Over Starting Right employs multi-sensory phonics, whole words, and language experience techniques to teach the building of words, vocabulary, and sentences.

Wilson Reading System

Wilson Reading System was developed by Barbara Wilson. The Wilson Reading System is a 12-step remedial reading and writing program for individuals with language-based learning disabilities. The system specifically teaches strategies for decoding and spelling.

Training Video

Dyslexia Training Program

Dyslexia Training Program was developed by the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Laboratory.

READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: very difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

How to Support Digital Literacy in Adult Learners ▬ Digital Promise

How to Support Digital Literacy in Adult Learners

Digital Literacy

Digital Promise: 2.08.2021

The glare of a smartphone first thing in the morning is an all too familiar picture for many adults. Often our first instinct is to reach for the little device to help us navigate through our days: to provide a weather update, outline our calendars, give us a news rundown, and connect us with others.

In a typical day, the average adult spends around 11 hours per day looking at screens, including smartphones, computers, and tablets, often without even realizing it. But what skills do adults need to effectively navigate digital spaces? And how can educators support adult learners to build these skills?

Thankfully, there is promising research on an array of strategies to help adults with digital literacy.

➤ Understanding Graphics, Digital Interfaces, and Online Reproduction Skills

➤ Reading Online: Branching and Critical Evaluation Skills

➤ Real-time Thinking Skills

➤ Social and Emotional Skills

🔽
Supporting Adult Digital Literacy

Common across all of these skills is the significance of direct instruction and support networks. Instructors, trainers, and peers can all positively contribute to adults’ digital literacy skills when they explain and model different skills in an open and low-stakes environment. For adults who may be struggling in digital spaces, social support from friends, family, and colleagues can be effective, particularly for older adults who may lack experience with technology.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 15

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

Lessons from the Teacher Who Couldn’t Read ▬ Literacy For All

Lessons from the Teacher Who Couldn’t Read

John Corcoran
Foundation

Literacy For All: 1.14.2021 with Jose L Cruz, The San Diego Council on Literacy

In this show, we hear from John Corcoran, “the teacher who couldn’t read”. We hear his story and get a great sense about the passion that, for over five decades, has driven his efforts for greater literacy. John speaks about his campaign for effective, evidence-based literacy instruction and the need to make system-based changes that will result in many more children learning to read. John is currently working with award-winning director, Nick Nanton, to produce a new literacy documentary.  LISTEN 27:53

How Learning To Read At 54 Transformed My Life ▬ BBC

Lockdown Win: How Learning To Read At 54 Transformed My Life

@ReadEasyUK

BBC: 1.24.2021

Tim Davies was one of millions of adults in England who struggled to read and write. For a long time he tried to hide this fact, but a brush with cancer caused him to re-evaluate his life and not even lockdown could stop his progress.

Previously shopping or dealing with bills was a daunting task, he said.

Now Tim, 54, is learning to drive and hopes to start his own business as a tree surgeon.

"It's changed my life," he said.

About seven million adults in England have very poor literacy skills, the Literacy Trust charity estimates.

Tim said his problems began as a nine-year-old when he was left at a boys' home.

"From that point I thought nobody cared about me so why should I care?

"So I never concentrated at school."

Tim, who lives in Bristol, said he managed to cope with life by hiding his skills gap and took a job as a tree surgeon and landscape gardener because it did not require him to read.

"I was scared to tell people. I kept it quiet."

If you know someone who needs help

John Corcoran set up a foundation in his name to help adults and children with literacy skills - in California and online

In the UK, the National Literacy Trust website lists organisations that promote adult literacy

These include Read Easy and the Reading Agency

READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 8

Reading Level: fairly easy to read.

Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. old

(Seventh and Eighth graders)

A Quiet & Destructive Illiteracy Crisis ▬ The BE note

A Quiet & Destructive Illiteracy Crisis
Adult and child illiteracy rates, especially in low-income populations, are already too high. Imagine what the pandemic is doing to that ...

Literacy Rates
 By State & County

The BE note: 11.30.2020

It’s not a prominent headline as it should be, but America is facing an illiteracy crisis. As if there aren’t enough crises to manage already. But, the crisis of illiteracy - particularly adult functional illiteracy - is a problem that eats away at the very core of any civic society struggling to achieve a democratic normalcy. If a nation’s people cannot read, how do they contribute to society? How productive can they be? Employers aren’t in the habit of employing illiterate employees, and those who are functionally illiterate (who are able-bodied, but can’t read) have effectively locked themselves out of most, if not all, marketplaces. If that’s happening at a mass scale, that’s a recipe for broader societal breakdown.

Yet, currently, an estimated 54 percent of adults between the ages of 16 to 65 are reading below a 6th grade level - nearly 20 percent of that number are at “the lowest levels of literacy,” according to U.S. Department of Education data. In fact, the number of adults reading above a 6th grade level actually declined by two percentage points between 2014 and 2017. A deeper glimpse into these numbers show a crisis brewing at an exponential rate policymakers either continue to ignore or are aware of yet fail to highlight.

The State of Adult Literacy

The United States is just several points above the international reading proficiency average - but, one wonders what this picture will look like after the pandemic. Achievement gaps are widening as families and households unable to adapt to the coronavirus environment, economically and academically, are finding themselves crushed by ill-equipped school systems …

Literacy Rates By State & County

Here’s a look at where illiteracy is more intense by state, based on NCES data. Generally speaking, we see high literacy in the North to Northwest and lower literacy in the South to Southwest …

Adult Literacy Rates by Race

While White “low English literacy” rates are high, they’re not high compared to their overall percentage or proportion of the U.S. population. However, the rates are very disproportionate and troubling among Black and Latino adults.

Reading Achievement Gaps

Across all grade levels, Black 4th, 8th and 12th graders are showing the lowest reading proficiency rates compared to their peers in all other major racial demographic groups. We’re getting a sense of how early this starts and begin to ask valid questions about exactly how school systems are addressing this. It’s possible 2020 data will show even worse indicators.

The Cost

A joint Gallup and Barbara Bush Foundation report released in September shows that the economy would actually gain back $2.2 trillion in lost economic growth if illiteracy were eradicated. [Charts & Graphs]  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)