DANCING WITH BOOKS

Dancing With Books is an on-site, 9-week literacy workshop conducted by our team of teaching artists in three art forms; music, creative movement, African dancing and drumming. The goal of these workshops is to trigger a passion for reading, give teachers new strategies to teach early literacy and get books into children's hands.

At the conclusion of the Dancing With Books workshop series there is a final performance so the children can share what they have learned. ICIC distributes backpacks full of books to participating students to encourage more reading at home. Books, bookshelves and rugs are given to the classrooms to create cozy reading corners and encourage a literacy rich environment. Dancing With Books is a subsidized program, provided at no cost to the selected child development centers.

• All classroom teachers that participate receive 10 professional development credit hours.
• All children that participate will receive a backpack full of books they can take home.
• All classrooms in the center will receive new books for their libraries.

VIEW LIST OF PARTICIPATING CENTERS

To participate in a Dancing With Books residency contact Ingrid Zimmer at 202.965.2000 x 103 or ingrid@innercity-innerchild.org

NAPTIME U.

Naptime U. is a professional development opportunity for early childhood teachers and directors in Washington, D.C. Each year the curriculum changes, offering a variety of course topics such as incorporating arts and literacy, developing positive discipline techniques or assessment practices. Workshops are taught by accredited trainers and take place at ICIC's certified teacher training center in the heart of Anacostia.

Location: Matthews Memorial Child Development Center
Time: 12:30pm – 3:00pm
Cost: $20 includes lunch
Professional development credit hours: 2

For a current Naptime U. schedule and information on workshops, contact Ingrid Zimmer at 202-965-2000x103 or ingrid@innercity-innerchild.org.

 
READ WITH ME

Read With Me is a family literacy initiative that encourages families to work on early literacy skills at home. The goal of this program is to help parents and caregivers become actively involved in their children's literacy and early learning. This book based workshop, run by a certified ICIC trainer, takes place at the end of the day at the child development center. The workshop provides a relaxed atmosphere where families can spend quality time with each other doing fun activities that promote literacy. Dinner for the family and child care for siblings is provided. Read With Me is a subsidized program and comes at no cost to the families or the child development center.

To participate in a Read With Me evening contact Ingrid Zimmer at 202.965.2000 x 103 or ingrid@innercity-innerchild.org

PARTNERSHIP WITH WETA'S “READY TO LEARN”

ICIC's Dancing with Books residency paves the way for WETA's on-site literacy training program, “Ready to Learn.” After a center completes a Dancing With Books residency, WETA follows us into the site with workshops that explain how to use PBS children's television programs as a springboard for books and activities that teach children fundamental early literacy skills. The goal of this program is to enhance literacy and prepare young children for success in school.
For more information go to: http://www.weta.org/kids/readytolearn