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The Road to Reading

The Road to Reading series, proudly sponsored by the Grand Rapids Public Library, explores some of the reading activities you’ll find in our schools as well as difficulties students may face when learning to read.

The series also examines early childhood ties to literacy and new initiatives to help all children read.

One-a-day books connect students to deeper themes

Forest Hills Carol Lautenbach

Just like a vitamin a day can benefit physical health, a book-a-day can benefit thinking, empathy, and joy to build a healthy community of readers...

Book appétit

Caledonia Alexis Stark

The Dutton Elementary library became the Dutton Diner to allow students to “taste test” new books...

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Student’s love of book, teacher’s Instagram post lead to author visit

Godfrey-Lee Alexis Stark

A teacher’s Instagram post about a fifth-grader’s love of a book leads to a classroom visit by the author...

Books represent students in state’s most diverse district

Kentwood Erin Albanese

Educators in Kentwood Public Schools prioritize stocking library shelves with books featuring diverse characters and by diverse authors...

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English essays evolve into mock trial

Grand Rapids Erin Albanese

Riverside Middle English students bring a short story to life in a mock trial.

Reading growth spurt as measured by shirts

East Grand Rapids Beth Heinen Bell

Second-graders put some of their newfound reading skills to use reading words and phrases on their classmates’ shirts...

Read a book, earn a badge – or all 46

Godfrey-Lee Alexis Stark

Godfrey Elementary teacher Scott Kelly developed a reading challenge that is proving very popular. Other teachers can get in on it, too...

Book Club members are ‘licensed to read’

East Grand Rapids Phil de Haan

In room 007 on Thursday afternoons at East Grand Rapids Middle School, students gather to read, write and make connections. There’s also candy...

Operation read: 628 books and counting

Kent City Abigail Ham, SNN intern

Fifth-graders at Kent City Elementary are reading dozens of books across genres to complete a 40-book challenge...

Armed with books, students rejoin the battle

Thornapple Kellogg Alexis Stark

Following the death of its founder, school resumes the Battle of the Books during March is Reading Month...

Creating purposeful learning, sticky note by sticky note

Rockford Beth Heinen Bell

The project gave Parkside second-graders experience reading nonfiction, doing research on a topic, categorizing information, working with a partner and giving a public presentation...

Finding a way to help Ukrainian kids, through books

Lowell Beth Heinen Bell

Books may not seem like a priority during wartime when people are in need of so much, but some Murray Lake students wanted to do something more personal...

Read-alouds (finally) get face-to-face

East Grand Rapids Phil de Haan

More than 100 East Grand Rapids High School students spread out across the district’s elementary schools in a structured read-aloud session with K-5 students...

Imagining future careers, inspired to keep learning

Godfrey-Lee Alexis Stark

In honor of Reading Month, Godfrey Elementary invited community members to read books to students and share information about their careers...

’Michigan Chillers’ author visits Pine Island

Comstock Park Karen Gentry

Students meet Michigan author and compete for most minutes read during Reading Month...

Mr. Blue Sky is living here today, one might infer

Rockford Beth Heinen Bell

Inferring is when you use your background knowledge to gather new evidence from the text, and then use that all to find the meaning of what you’re reading, Meadow Ridge second-graders learned...

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ABOUT US

School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent ISD, which enroll more than 102,000 students. Founded in 2013 as an initiative of Kent ISD, we are supported by local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and multimedia journalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues facing students and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

She nurtures them, and they bring her joy

Working in education, ‘You can really make a difference in a community’

‘They teach me to be a better version of myself’

Educator focuses on cultivating passions

Full symphony orchestra joins strings & marching band

Marching band showcase culminates ‘big effort every day’

Real-world scenarios meet STEM fun

ArtPrize exhibit honors veterans & their stories

Same family, different major goals

Summer internship leads to national news segment

What do you want to learn? Zinser students weigh in

These middle-schoolers strive to be strong readers

The Road to Reading

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