We are so thankful to Melanie Lawson, Morning Show Anchor for News4Jax, and to Tenikka Hughes, Evening Anchor for Action News Jax – both of whom are long-time friends of READ USA and supporters of literacy – for sharing the news about our READ USA Book Fairs happening RIGHT NOW across Duval County!
Even if you missed the segments, do you don’t have to miss out on their call-to-action to JOIN US as a READ USA Book Fair volunteer!
Last week, Melanie Lawson gave the students at Greenfield Elementary a fun surprise: not only was it READ USA Book Fair day, but she also did live shots right from the school’s media center! Students got to see live TV in action, and several students even had their own time in the spotlight. Melanie did two live shots, featuring all of the fun that occurs at our free READ USA Book Fairs and why they are so important to so many students who are unable to afford books of their own. You can check out the fun we had here!
Thank you, Melanie and News4Jax, for visiting Team READ USA and the fabulous teachers, staff, and students at Greenfield Elementary! Thank you also to Principal Cindy Gentry for warmly welcoming us, our volunteers, and News4Jax!
We are very grateful to Tenikka and Action News Jax for spotlighting our READ USA Book Fairs as well, and we appreciate their support in helping spread the word about our need for volunteers! (Also, #ICYMI, you can watch the fantastic interview that Tenikka did with Taylor, one of our teen tutors at Hyde Park Elementary, and her student, Raykeah, about Literacy Tutoring that aired in March HERE. Spoiler alert: it’s a fantastic segment overall about Raising Readers!) Thank you, Tenikka, for your support of Team READ USA, literacy, and the amazing students we serve!
We also want to give a special shoutout to…
…The fantastic team at Jacksonville University! Every year, JU faculty, staff, and students come together for a Day of Service to celebrate the university’s Charter Day, and this year, Team READ USA was honored to host volunteers at both San Jose Elementary and Love Grove Elementary on April 11! The energy that their team brought to these fairs was contagious for the students at both schools, and we are so grateful for their support. Last year, JU Charter Day brought 800+ volunteers to serve at 36 local organizations, and we wouldn’t be surprised if they surpassed that this year! Thank you for having Team READ USA and our READ USA Book Fairs be a part of your Charter Day celebrations this year!
READ USA Book Fairs continue through Friday, May 9 and we hope you will join us! Sign up today and give yourself a memorable volunteer experience this spring!
Get to Know: Cheryl Anderson, Book Fair Lead Volunteer
Introducing one of our wonderful READ USA Book Fair Lead Volunteers, Cheryl Anderson!
Cheryl does a lot of volunteering in the community, but “READ USA is special,” she shares.
Cheryl is a retired teacher from the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind where she taught for 35 years after earning her master’s degree in deaf education. Since her retirement, she has been a highly active volunteer with multiple organizations, including READ USA and Sulzbacher. She also serves as a substitute Teacher of Organization in READ USA’s Literacy Tutoring program, specifically at Twin Lakes Elementary School, where she has also been a substitute teacher in our aftercare program.
When asked why she works and volunteers with READ USA, Cheryl shared:
“I’m not one to sit around – I like staying busy – and I wanted the opportunity to work with hearing kids! I always taught deaf students, not hearing students, so working with READ USA is a unique opportunity for me. Also, back when I was in school, we didn’t get anything for free – especially books – so the free READ USA Book Fairs are really something special for the students. It’s so fun to see the kids race to the tables to choose their books…it’s just a pleasure to be there. That’s what I enjoy most: seeing kids with a big smile on their face because of free books!”
We couldn’t agree more, Cheryl! Thank you so much for volunteering your time with Team READ USA and the wonderful students we serve!
Get to Know: Shirley Jernigan, Book Fair Lead Volunteer
We absolutely love – and are so grateful for – the many retired educators who spend their time with Team READ USA!
Shirley Jernigan is a retired DCPS elementary school teacher who taught at Loretta and Kings Trail elementary schools as well as kindergarten at a local private school. She heard about the READ USA Book Fairs on local TV news three years ago and has been a Book Fair volunteer ever since! This year, Shirley signed on as one of our Lead Volunteers, taking point at multiple elementary schools this READ USA Book Fair season to ensure everything runs smoothly.
“I’ve really enjoyed being involved with the READ USA Book Fairs. Some students don’t have the opportunity to have books in their home, so that’s really the best thing about it. When the kids come in, get to choose their free books, and then walk out with them, they are SO excited that those books belong to them. Just the other day, there was a little girl who wanted a specific book, and we had it! She was so excited! That, to me, is the best: seeing kids get excited about reading.”
And with fabulous volunteers like you, Shirley, we know our students (and fellow volunteers!) are in wonderful hands at the Book Fairs! Thank you for all you do for our READ USA Book Fairs!
Are You in the ‘Circle?’ If so, Please VOTE!
Calling all Target Circle members! READ USA has been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funded by Target!
This means that YOU have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to READ USA! Here’s how it works:
Now through June 30, vote for READ USA through the Target Circle program to help determine how Target’s donation will be divvied up.
(You can read more about Target Circle here: www.target.com/circle.)
To vote, you must be a Target Circle member, and you can vote in the Target Circle app online at Target.com:
- Step 1: Choose ‘My Target’ in the Target app or ‘Account’ on Target.com
- Step 2: Tap ‘Cast votes’
- Step 3: Find READ USA & vote
AND – you can keep voting multiple times between now and June 30!
Thank you to Target for providing READ USA with this opportunity!
Teachers Receive Professional Development at Hyde Park Elementary
Judy Howard, M.Ed., READ USA’s Michael Ward & Jennifer Glock Literacy Institute Senior Director, recently led a professional development session for the wonderful ELA teachers at Hyde Park Elementary.
“The training on small group instruction was very engaging and met all of my expectations,” shared Hyde Park Elementary Principal Mrs. Shirley Winfrey. “Mrs. Howard shared very beneficial and clear information on how to utilize data in order to make an informed decision about small group instruction. Teachers were able to use this information to create data driven lesson plans and focus calendars for our students. It is already evident through my daily classroom walkthroughs that this training will make a positive impact on our data.”
READ USA’s training focused on helping 3rd- through 5th-grade ELA teachers engage in more purposeful small-group instruction with their students. Specifically, teachers were trained in how to differentiate between strategy vs. skills-based grouping of students, with a dedicated portion that addressed how to analyze reading benchmarks to inform instructional decisions. Teachers engaged in reflective discussion and a hands-on activity where they developed small-group instruction plans based on current school data.
“I would definitely plan a follow-up visit with Mrs. Howard to further impact my teachers’ learning,” Mrs. Winfrey added.
READ USA offers this and related training sessions to ELA educators across Duval County. If you or your school is interested in scheduling a professional development session with READ USA, contact Judy Howard at judy@readusainc.com.
Thank you to Mrs. Winfrey and each of ELA teachers at Hyde Park Elementary for inviting Judy and Team READ USA to work with you all!
Children’s Book: Horizons: Poems as Far as the Eye Can See by Jane Yolen
Photographs by Jason Stemple
Jane Yolen’s Horizons: Poems as Far as the Eye Can See is a beautifully crafted poetry collection that explores the expanse of the world both literally and metaphorically. The poems in this collection take readers on a journey through landscapes, time, emotions, and imagination, all while maintaining Yolen’s signature lyrical style.
Jane Yolen brilliantly captures the concept of horizons as more than just distant places; they symbolize possibilities, change, and personal growth. The poems cover a wide range of topics, from natural landscapes and the mysteries of the universe to historical reflections and personal connections. Her language is rich but also accessible, making the collection suitable for both younger and more seasoned readers.
The poems have vivid imagery and Yolen’s use of descriptive language paints vibrant pictures for the reader, making each poem an engaging experience.
Some poems in this collection are more abstract than others, requiring readers to pause and reflect more deeply. However, this is also part of the book’s appeal—it encourages multiple readings to uncover hidden layers of meaning.
Horizons is a unique collection that celebrates the beauty of discovery, whether through nature, history, or personal experience. The reader will enjoy poetry that sparks the imagination and encourages many readers to revisit the text to unveil a deeper understanding.
Submitted by Judy Howard, READ USA Michael Ward & Jennifer Glock Literacy Institute Senior Director
Parent Education Corner: Enhancing Vocabulary and Language Skills with Poetry
Poetry is a wonderful tool that makes learning new words enjoyable, interactive, and easy to remember. Poems introduce new words rhythmically and engagingly, making it easier for children to acquire new vocabulary and confidently incorporate new words when speaking and writing. When children are taught poetry, it sets a firm foundation for understanding word relationships, determining the meanings of unknown words, and thinking critically and deeply about what they read.
Activity Ideas:
Fill-in-the-Blank Poetry
This activity encourages creative thinking and vocabulary development.
- Provide a short poem with missing words and let children fill in the blanks with their own vocabulary choices.
- Example:
The sun is shining, the sky is ______,
The birds are singing, flying so ______.
Haiku Writing (3rd Grade)
- Explain the 5-7-5 syllable pattern of haiku poetry. This helps with syllable counting and concise word choice.
- Example:
Soft waves kiss the shore,
Golden sun melts into blue,
Night whispers hello.
Sensory Poetry Writing
This builds descriptive vocabulary and creative expression.
- Ask students to write a poem using all five senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell).
- Example prompt: Describe a rainy day using sensory words.
Word Bank Poetry
This expands children’s vocabulary while reinforcing thematic connections.
- Give your child a set of themed words (e.g., nature words: breeze, whisper, rustling, golden).
- Support (when needed) your child with using these words to create a poem.
Shape or Concrete Poems
This blends visual creativity with word choice.
- Have students write a poem in the shape of the subject (e.g., a tree, heart, or wave).
- Example: A poem about a star shaped like a star.
Create New Lines
- Ask children to replace words in the poem with synonyms or related words.
- Example: If the poem says, “The sun shines bright,” they could rewrite it as “The sun glows warmly.”
Word Association Web
- Choose a word from the poem and create a word web with related words.
- Example: Breeze → wind, gentle, cool, whisper.
Submitted by Judy Howard, READ USA Michael Ward & Jennifer Glock Literacy Institute Senior Director
Do you have any questions or ideas for the Parent Education Corner? Anything you’d like to learn? Let us know here!