Literacy Website Evaluation

RIF Website Evaluation

Pam Wheeler

07/21/11

The RIF website can be found on the internet at http://www.rif.org/.  RIF stands for Reading is Fundamental.  Some educators are familiar with the RIF program because for years children in Title One schools have been given free books to take home, read and enjoy; however, I am not familiar with the RIF website.  Therefore, when I searched the words “literacy instruction”, and found Reading is Fundamental, I decided to evaluate the site to find out if literacy instruction is provided for educators as well as students and families.

The home page of the RIF website is very appealing to the eye.  It is colorful and there are pictures of smiling, young children reading.  There is a home page, about RIF, get involved, and a literacy resource page.  There is also a link to literacy activities and a blog which was started by the RIF CEO, Carol H. Rasco.  More activities and resources can be found in the blog.   After viewing the home page, and a really cool activity called Reading Passport, I was hooked and wanted to know more.  I also found information about RIF programs, donors, and articles about reading instruction.

On the about RIF page, I found a vision and mission statement:

·         OUR VISION:
Our vision is a literate America in which all children have access to books and discover the joys and value of reading.

·         OUR MISSION:
To motivate young children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life. RIF's highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8.

I also found the history of RIF, and annual reports.  RIF was actually started by a school teacher who wanted to get books into the hands of low-income children. 

        The resource page is full of exciting reading and writing activities, and some of them are in Spanish.  I can’t wait to try the writing activity called Excuses, Excuses with my kindergarten students.  The activities are created for children ages 3-teen.  Even though the activities are designed for families to use with their children, they can easily be used in the classroom.  There is also a link for educators where more literacy resources can be found.  I also followed a link to another website that I will definitely be using in my literacy instruction.  There are nursery rhymes, stories, activities, and games for children of all ages which can be viewed in English or Spanish.

        I was able to find reviews about RIF from the following websites, http://bookdads.com/reading-resources/reading-resource-reading-is-fundamental/, http://lookingglassreview.blogspot.com/2008/02/action-alert-reading-is-fundamental-rif.html, and http://www.akblessingsabound.com/2011/03/pine-sol-and-national-reading-month-giveaway.html.  All of these consumers gave the RIF program and website excellent reviews.  The website provides children, parents, and educators with a lot of resources for literacy instruction. Placing books in children’s hands is where literacy instruction begins. 

        However, I was disappointed that I was unable to find any research literature about the Reading is Fundamental website. For me, this was a weakness with the website.  Personally, I enjoyed the website because it provided several literacy resources for parents and educators.  There were also activities, stories and nursery rhymes for children to listen to in English and Spanish. I would recommend this website for anyone with children ages 3-teen.  It is an excellent family resource and it can be utilized by educators as well.   The following is a list of some practical applications of the website for educators:

·         Students reading along with the nursery rhymes and stories.

·         Students playing the literacy games online.

·         Teachers using the book list to find current children’s books.

·         Teachers discussing literacy on the blog.

·         Teachers implementing the activities into lesson plans.

·         Teachers linking the website to their classroom webpage.

·         Teachers using the website for Spanish instruction.

·         Teachers recommending the website to parents and families.

In my opinion, the RIF website has a lot of information and resources about reading to offer families and educators.  I would recommend it to teachers and families for additional reading and writing support.