ReadBoston - Boston Redevelopment Authority

Run for ReadBoston

Run for ReadBoston! We have a few Boston Marathon Charity Numbers for the 2013 Boston Marathon. The race is on April 15, 2013 and charity runners are required to raise $4,000. If interested, please submit the application by November 16, 2012. All funds raised will support our summer Storymobile program, which provides an engaging storytelling and free new books to Boston kids at 72 locations each week during the summer.

ReadBoston Storymobile

The ReadBoston Storymobile program will run from July 8-August 16, 2013. The Storymobile program provides the sites it visits with fun storytelling events and a free new book for every child in attendance. All sites are open to the public. Applications to be a Storymobile site are due to ReadBoston by Wednesday, March 6, 2013.Thanks!

Another Everybody Has a Story!

Another Everybody Has a Story! ReadBoston's second storybook CD featuring classic and new stories read by local Boston celebrities including Mayor Thomas M. Menino, New England Patriot QB Tom Brady, WBZ's Lisa Hughes, Cam Neely of the Boston Bruins, Author Irene Smalls and many more!

CDs are available for $10 (includes postage). Your can purchase CDs by clicking here. Please Call 617-918-5289 or email readboston@cityofboston.gov with questions.

ReadBoston's After School Reading Initiative

After Schools in Boston are invited to apply for ReadBoston's After School Reading Initiative. Created in 2000, ReadBoston's After School Reading Initiative has worked with over 90 after school programs throughout the city of Boston promoting reading, literature, and literacy. To accomplish this, ReadBoston works closely with after school directors and staff, coaching staff to lead engaging literacy activities. These activities include reading aloud with groups of students, creating independent reading times, and promoting book-related activities. ReadBoston also purchases and develops diverse book collections in after school programs, creating inviting spaces for reading.

Both school-based and community-based programs are invited to apply. Organizations may choose to apply for more than one site, but must submit separate applications for each site.

Programs should submit all application materials by 5 p.m. Friday, May 20, 2011. Mailing instructions and other details for submission are located in the enclosed RFP. All questions about the application process should be addressed to Anna Adler, Manager of Literacy Programs, ReadBoston, 617-918-5247, Anna.Adler.jcs@cityofboston.gov

Early Words

Early Words Campaign, in partnership with Staples

Every Word Counts

For nearly a decade ReadBoston has been driven by our mission to have children in Boston reading on grade level by the time they complete third grade. Founded by Mayor Thomas M. Menino in 1995 to address low literacy levels among Boston�s youth, ReadBoston has since grown into a city-wide leader in the field of early literacy.

Our programs reach into every level of a child�s life from birth through elementary school. In a child�s early years, ReadBoston staff provide child care centers with materials and training to set up home reading programs and work with teachers to improve their literacy teaching skills. At the elementary level ReadBoston helps schools to foster home-school connections, and provides classroom libraries that allow students to take books home to read with their families.

ReadBoston also provides students with three free books each year to create their own libraries at home. Outside of school, ReadBoston focuses effort to integrate literacy into after school programs and provides children with free books and fun storytellings during the summer.

ReadBoston and Early Literacy

ReadBoston's Early Words program, a partnership with Staples, seeks to increase verbal interaction between parents and caregivers and very young children. Click here for more information

Another program that focuses on early childhood literacy is The Reading Trail. This program promotes family involvement in children's literacy development. The Reading Trail establishes home lending libraries in day care centers around Boston. Children are encouraged to read, have a family member read with them, visit the library, and use individual "trail guides" to keep a record of books read. As children reach benchmarks along the Trail, they receive take home books and other reading incentives. Reading Trail sites receive books to establish libraries as well as training on how to integrate family reading activities into their current curriculum.

ReadBoston in the Boston Public Schools

ReadBoston also devotes much time and energy to promoting children's literacy in Boston's elementary schools. Our largest in-school program is the Family Literacy Project. The Family Literacy Project encourages family involvement in children's literacy by two central methods. The program sets up home lending libraries in classrooms and promotes twice yearly parent-teacher conferences. The FLP provides books for classroom libraries, as well as teacher training and support to help each school incorporate the program into the existing curriculum. The Family Literacy Project is currently working in 21 BPS elementary schools, and hopes to eventually expand to every elementary school in Boston.

The Reading Is Fundamental program (RIF) is another ReadBoston program that operates in the Boston Public Schools. The program provides three new books to each student that participates. Fun activities that encourage reading as a worthy pastime are also a hallmark of this program. Each year, 15,000 children in the Boston Public Schools receive books through ReadBoston's RIF program.

ReadBoston and Out-of-School Time

ReadBoston literacy specialists promote literacy instruction in Boston's after-school programs. The specialists provide literacy training, advice, and books to increase the presence of literacy instruction in the after-school arena. Families And Books also endeavors to reach Boston's children during out-of-school time, by setting up lending libraries in 15 of Boston's Family Homeless Shelters. During the summer months, ReadBoston's colorful Storymobiles roll out to community locations to promote reading. Two Storymobiles visit 40 neighborhood sites each week from July through August accompanied by storytellers and 10,000 take-home books for children.