For Districts
Explore
About R.E.A.L.
Get information about the R.E.A.L. program design and benefits through information sheets and video messages for various audiences.
Program Overview for Principals and Administrators
R.E.A.L. Program Design and Framework
What is R.E.A.L.?
For Teachers
For Students
For Families—English
For Families—Español
Materials Overview
Here you’ll find details about program components from the books to the supporting guides.
Walk-through of the Materials in the R.E.A.L. Program
R.E.A.L. Product Unboxing
Program Components
Book List
Interactive Read-Alouds
Find inspiration with these videos that highlight the power of interactive read-alouds.
Building Excitement Around Literacy
Why Host Interactive Read-Alouds?
What Is an Interactive Read-Aloud?
Families, Mentorship, and Home Libraries
Learn how education leaders are leveraging home libraries, mentorship, and family engagement to support literacy.
The Power of Home Libraries: What Does the Research Show?
The Power of Mentoring
Bridging Family and Community Partners to Propel Student Achievement
About Program Partner, Christian Adair
Research
Dive into research that spotlights the transformative impact of reading and home libraries.
Home Libraries: The Impact of Home Libraries on Academic Achievement, Economic Success, and Health
Reading for Life: The Impact of Youth Literacy on Health Outcomes
Implementation
Browse the Implementation Guide to learn about the R.E.A.L. program. Use the guide and the resources below for successful implementation.
Implementation Guidelines for R.E.A.L. Success
R.E.A.L. Implementation Planner
School Leaders Survey
Facilitator Survey
Teacher Survey
Mentor Survey
Family Survey English
Family Survey Español
Student surveys
How to Administer the Student Survey
Student Pre-Survey
Student Post-Survey
Community Recruiting
The Community Recruiting Guide provides a range of letter templates for recruiting mentors from a variety of sources. Browse the resources below for additional tools to support your recruitment efforts.
Mentor Recruitment Ideas
Mentor Recruitment Flyer
Mentor Event Flyer
Mentor Recruitment Letters
Mentor Application Form
Information Sheet for Prospective Mentors
How to Recruit Mentors
Communications
Here you’ll find resources for program outreach and communications, including handouts for families, administrators, and mentors.
R.E.A.L. Announcement Letters
Read-Aloud Reminders to Families to Support Attendance
Mentor Read-Aloud Schedule Template
Mentor Follow-up Emails
Program Overview for Families and Community–In English and Español
Mentor Success
The Mentor Success Guide equips mentors with valuable information for managing their read-alouds, and for building meaningful connections with kids. Help mentors prepare and find inspiration with the resources below.
Mentor Best Practices
How to Implement an Interactive Read-Aloud
In Mentor’s Words: Easy and Impactful
In Mentor’s Words: Diversity and Rewarding
Celebration and Encouragement
Here you’ll find letter templates for encouraging mentors, thank-you card templates that students can use to thank mentors, and certificates for program facilitators, parents, and students.
Certificates --In English and Español
Imagine
This biographical poem by the poet Juan Felipe Herrera follows his path from life in a small village to the steps of the Library of Congress, where he shares his poetry with the nation.
Lucky Beans
Marshall and his family have been eating a lot of beans during the Great Depression. He’s surprised when he has a chance to guess how many beans are in a jar—and win a sewing machine for his mother.
Donavan's Word Jar
Donavan collects his favorite words by writing them on pieces of paper that he keeps in a jar. His teacher challenges him to share his favorite words with others, and Donavan finds new joy.
Not Norman: A Goldfish Story
When a boy receives a goldfish for his birthday, he is disappointed. As he sets out to trade Norman in for something better, he begins to discover that Norman is not what he seems to be.