Improve Your Classroom Using Simple Observation

Watch and learn. Our earliest learning experiences are rooted in these words. Parents tell their children “Watch that bird searching for food on the ground” and “Watch me tie my shoes”. We learn by watching. This doesn’t change as we grow older. Most of us, when entering new…

Children’s Literacy Initiative Receives $60,000 through Chicago Tribune Charities

Chicago, January 28, 2016 – The Chicago Tribune Charities, a McCormick Foundation fund has selected national nonprofit Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI) for a $60,000 one-year grant in support of the Chicago Early Literacy Project for elementary schools in the Little Village neighborhood. “The biggest lever for improving our…

Get Your Students Warmed Up with a Picture Walk

Warming up before you exercise is considered a really good idea.  It allows your body to prepare for the workout ahead – you stretch your muscles, you increase your heart rate and you are able to “get in the mindset” and prepare for your workout.  Warming up is…

2015 NAEP Results: A Red Flag

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) recently released the results of the 2015 Nation’s Report Card for 4th and 8th grade students. In the NAEP reading assessment, students’ reading comprehension is measured by reading grade-appropriate materials and answering questions based on the selection they read. The type…

Michael Jordan Supports Children’s Literacy Initiative’s Work in Chicago Public Schools to Improve Student Reading Achievement

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 16, 2015 — Basketball great Michael Jordan selected national nonprofit Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI) for a one-time gift to support CLI’s work in Chicago Public Schools to get more city children reading proficiently by 3rd grade. Jordan picked CLI as one of 23 Chicago-area, children-related charities to which he…

Stay Warm This Winter with Great Books

Winter break can be a great time to spend some extra time reading with the children in your life.  Cozy up together with one of these seasonal picture books and you’re sure to feel warm. First Snow by Peter McCarthy Pedro travels a long way to visit his…

CLI to Use $19.5M Grant to Reach More Students in New Markets

“The CLI program produces substantial effects on teachers’ classroom environment and literacy practices, which in turn, lead to measurable effects on average reading achievement in early elementary grades.” That was American Institutes for Research’s conclusion after its three-year impact evaluation of Children’s Literacy Initiative’s five-year, federally funded project…

From the Field: Success With Writer’s Workshop

“From the Field” is a collection of short, inspiring and heart-warming classroom anecdotes contributed by our professional developers as they work in classrooms across the country. Names of teachers and students have been changed. Even though the Thanksgiving holiday has passed, it’s still a great time for reflection. While many…

Children’s Literacy Initiative Receives $19.5 Million Federal Innovation Grant

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 16, 2015 — Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI), a national nonprofit focused on strengthening literacy in early education, will receive nearly $19.5 million from the 2015 Investing in Innovation (i3 grant) competition from the U.S. Department of Education. This is the second time that CLI has received a prestigious…

Helping Your Readers Build Stamina

What do the following people have in common: a runner completing a marathon, a long-distance swimmer crossing the English Channel and a second grader reading for 20 minutes?  Stamina, that’s what!  Just as athletes train each and every day to go farther, to be stronger, and to reach…