As we reflect upon the past month, the team at READ USA remains captivated by the wisdom, inspiration, and empathy shared during our 2023 Peace in the Pages event, generously presented by David & Monique Miller.
At Peace in the Pages, we celebrate the connection between literacy and the values of empathy, peace, education, freedom, leadership, and success. The timing of our event, which is hosted annually near Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, is intentional: Gandhi was a peaceful pioneer of freedom whose life inspired the International Day of Non-Violence by the United Nations on Oct. 2nd, his birthday. READ USA believes that peace and freedom through nonviolence can be achieved through a more literate, educated, and therefore empathetic society – a mantra that many of our Peace in the Pages honorees and guests share with us.
And today, we are able to bring the wisdom and inspiration shared during Peace in the Pages right to your home!
We have created a playlist on our YouTube channel featuring Mayor Donna Deegan, student performers from San Jose Elementary School, our generous presenting sponsors David & Monique Miller, and of course – our incredible award honorees!
Our time together at Peace in the Pages was further uplifted by best-selling author and transformational educator Shelley Read, our keynote speaker, and Melanie Lawson, our gracious emcee, who as always knows exactly how to deliver a message so poignantly and personally.
And ultimately, it was hearing the voices of our teen tutors, teacher, and volunteer – the people who do the work alongside us and are part of our READ USA team – who lit up the room.
Our gratitude is endless!
We know you will find inspiration abundant watching the full Peace in the Pages program here.
We hope you will watch and SHARE anything that speaks to you on social media!
Dr. Cole graciously sat down with Jeremy recently to share her life journey with him and the people of Jacksonville. Few people have accomplished in a lifetime what Dr. Cole accomplishes in mere years, and the READ USA team is honored and beyond elated to share her story through Jeremy.
Incredible fact: Did you know that Dr. Cole is the recipient of 70 honorary degrees?!
Stay tuned for official release of the 2023 Vol. 10 of Jeremy’s Journey featuring Dr. Cole! Once available, the book can be ordered for $20 via READ USA’s website.
You can also click here to see the full list of published Jeremy’s Journey volumes to place an order.
Children’s Book: Thank you, Mr. Falker, by Patricia Polacco
Written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco
Thank you, Mr. Falker, is a beautiful picture book that introduces the reader to five-year old Trisha and her family. Trisha’s family had a strong tradition which emphasized the importance of reading and knowledge. Trisha’s fondest childhood family memories and symbolic family traditions remain with her throughout her adult life. The family celebrated the beginning of her school year and her opportunity to learn. When Trisha was five, her grandpa shared the family tradition by pouring honey on a book to say knowledge is sweet. Trisha was excited to go to school and learn to read from that day forward.
Trisha struggled to read letters and numbers in the first grade. As the years passed, Trisha and her classmates begin to label her as “dumb.” She was unable to comprehend words, letters, and numbers, so she spent a lot of her time drawing, which she loved.
Things changed for Trisha when she met Mr. Falker, her fifth-grade teacher who took an interest in helping her learn to read. Mr. Falker recognized that Trisha was dyslexic, a learning disability that affects reading and decoding words. He employed unconventional methods to support Trisha and encouraged her to try new ways of learning to read.
Thank you, Mr. Falker is filled with heartwarming themes ranging from family traditions, overcoming obstacles, persevering, and kindness. Patricia Polacco, our author and illustrator, learned these lessons throughout her life and is grateful for her fifth-grade teacher who cared enough to help her learn to read.
Submitted by Dr. Barbara Lacey-Allen, Book Programs & Family Engagement Director
Parent Education Corner: Critical Thinking and Literacy
Critical thinking is the use of logic, reasoning, and executive functioning skills to analyze information and make sound decisions. We use critical thinking skills every day to make good decisions and solve problems. Critical thinking utilizes other important life skills like making connections and communication.
Critical thinking activities help children develop essential problem-solving skills. Here is a great activity to increase critical thinking and literacy skills.
Create a Story Box
Creating stories puts your child’s imagination to work while also developing their logic and sequencing skills.
What you need:
How to play:
Tips for playing:
If you have time:
From: BEGiN https://www.beginlearning.com
Submitted by Kathi Hart, Content Specialist
Do you have any questions or ideas for the Parent Education Corner? Anything you’d like to learn? Let us know here