Raise Readers Workshops

Experience our workshops introducing caregivers, volunteers, and after-school staff to practical home, intervention, and after-school literacy strategies

Raise Readers 101:
Introduction to Family & Community Literacy

Panoche Elementary School

Paicines, CA

2026

Overview: This session focuses on introducing attendees to the four domains of literacy and how they can begin to influence them at home.

Purpose & Activation: Attendees engage in energizing experiences designed to bring movement, connection, and shared excitement into the room—setting the tone for a welcoming, joyful learning space.

Understanding Family Literacy: We explore what it looks like and feels like when literacy is woven into daily family life—simple, organic, and culturally grounded. Attendees leave recognizing that lasting literacy growth begins with small, consistent moments.

Live Demonstration: Attendees observe interactive modeling of effective reading engagement, seeing firsthand how warmth, curiosity, and conversation transform reading into connection.

Supporting All Ages: We discuss approaches for nurturing readers at every stage—including children who may need extra practice—focusing on confidence, relationships, and belonging as pathways to skill development.

Raise Readers 104:
Writing After Class

Sanchez Elementary School

2026

Overview: This workshop uncovers ways attendees can supply students with writing practice through joyful and engaging activities.

Writing That Feels Natural: Attendees discover practical ways to weave writing into daily life so it shows up as creativity, connection, and self-expression rather than an assignment.

Take-Home Tools: Attendees participate in hands-on creation of two simple writing resources they can continue using at home to spark regular writing habits and confidence.

Growing Vocabulary Through Writing: We explore how new words can be introduced, reinforced, and remembered through writing experiences—helping students expand language, clarity, and voice over time.

Raise Readers 103:
Growing Readers w/ Phonics & Comprehension

Overview: This session gives attendees hands-on tools — and a few favorite games — for helping kids sound out words and grow into confident, independent readers.

Playing with Sounds by Age: Attendees explore the phonics skills their child is working on right now, from blending letter sounds in kindergarten to tackling multisyllabic words in upper elementary — with sample activities for each stage, like sound-matching games and syllable clapping.
Word-Solving Strategies AttendeesCan Use Tomorrow: Attendees practice simple phonics games — like "sound detective" (identifying letter sounds), word families, and letter-pattern hunts — that give kids a toolkit for sounding out new words instead of guessing or freezing up.

A Peek Inside the Classroom: We show attendees the phonics routines and games teachers actually use in class, so parents can recognize and reinforce them at home with quick, low-prep versions.

Alisal Unified School District

Salinas, CA

2026

Raise Readers 102: Talk, Play, Grow

Overview: This session focuses on improving essential speaking and listening skills.

Speaking Through Story & Play: Attendees engage in light storytelling experiences that build comfort, confidence, and joy around spoken language—laying the foundation for early literacy success.

Storytelling in Everyday Life: Attendees explore simple ways to weave oral stories into daily routines, helping children experience language that reflects their home culture, identity, and lived experiences.

Dialogue That Builds Comprehension: We discuss conversational strategies that deepen understanding—showing attendees how personal connections, questions, and shared reflection support meaning-making as children grow into readers.

Alisal Unified School District

Salinas, CA

2025

Raise Readers 105:
Real Reading Engagement

Overview: This workshop uncovers ways attendees can motivate reluctant readers at any grade level with a variety of teacher moves that keep students engaged.

Read-Alouds & Story-Time: Attendees discover the verbal and body animation to use to keep students focused and excited during whole group reading experiences

Book Clubs: Attendees learn how to unite students through shared reading and discussions

Independent Reading: We explore why students lose interest during independent reading and what checks teachers can use to ensure early intervention for a disengaged reader

Sanchez Elementary School

2025

Raise Readers Workshops

Raise Readers 101: Introduction to Family & Community Literacy

Raise Readers 101:
Introduction to Family & Community Literacy