Reading Quest offers range of free learning opportunities

Local nonprofit Reading Quest — which provides joyful, quality reading tutoring for striving readers and workshops for parents, tutors and teachers -- is offering a range of events and resources in the coming weeks:

• A free online workshop for parents, siblings and guardians on supporting young readers, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 22. To register, email readingquestcenter@gmail.com.
• Visit the Reading Quest website for a variety of online resources, including virtual field trips to zoos and aquariums, ebooks, reading apps and online reading programs. The website also features social justice resources for families, original videos that help teach children how to read, Reading Quest board games and more. 
• Voices of the African Diaspora, a free creative writing club for Black teens age 13-18, , is being offered by local Black Reading Quest educators Avery Armstrong and Faridah Ndiaye. To apply, answer the question, “What does writing mean to you?” in 250 words or less and email to voicesofcolorcreate@gmail.com​.
• Students in first through 12th grade can enter the song, rap and poem contest: just write a song, rap or poem about a book you read and loved. The contest is open from Aug. 20 to Sept. 30, and there will be prizes, including the chance to perform at the Lensic Performing Arts Center.  See details here in English and here in Spanish.

 
Reading Quest takes a science-based approach, utilizing the best research on how children acquire the ability to read English, with explicit phonemic instruction tailored to the strengths and specific needs of each student. 
 
The organization supports each child to develop a growth mindset and the conviction that they are capable of any accomplishment when they try their best and persist in the face of challenges and obstacles. It strives to make the learning process so engaging and exciting that each student begins to see themselves as competent and powerful and traveling a path towards reading mastery and a love of books. 
 
For more information, email readingquestcenter@gmail.com. 
 
By Rayna Dineen, the director of Reading Quest. Courtesy photos.