Tennessee Reading Research Center

Reading with your child can create lasting reading habits. It also builds important language and comprehension skills.

Download our free printable bookmark for tips on reading with your child, and watch the accompanying video to learn how to ask your child questions about a book: https://trrc.utk.edu/resources/printable-bookmark-tips-reading-with-child/

Big news for young readers! 🎉

For the first time in more than 10 years, UT Press is publishing books for kids, featuring an inspiring chapter book about Tennessee’s champion trees and a feel-good Big Orange story!

Coming this September, "Nora T and the Champion Tree" follows 11-year-old Nora as she discovers a massive tulip poplar on her grandparents’ property and works to nominate it for the Tennessee Champion Tree program, learning about nature, activism, and patience along the way. 🌳

And coming in July, "My Magic Tux: A Big Orange Story of Courage and Confidence" tells the true story of the Big Orange Tux Guy, whose unforgettable orange suit and bold spirit became part of Vols history, inspiring courage and confidence in the next generation. 🧡🤍

🔗 Read more: tiny.utk.edu/Coming-Soon

Engaging Little Learners

Little learners will soon have access to a bundle of activities centered on Space Medal of Honor Recipient Ronald McNair's journey to the stars! In collaboration with the Tennessee Reading Research Center, several of our Teacher Fellows tapped to build the bundle have approached this work with, largely, one goal in mind—create a resource based on Ron's compelling story of courage and commitment to support K–5th grade educators in strengthening their students' literacy skills.

They presented their work this past week, received quality feedback, and are now in the process of making revisions and additions to the bundle. Look for our It's Possible Activity Bundle this fall!

It's Possible Activity Bundle Highlights:
✨ It's Possible Read-Aloud
✨ Exploring Ron's Character
✨ Steps to the Stars
✨ Journey of Commitment
✨ and more!

Learn more about It's Possible: The Story of Ronald McNair here: https://bit.ly/3Q29wWy

📚🍎TN Teachers: Reminder that registration is still open for the Early Literacy Network’s Summer Learning Series, a virtual professional learning event designed to boost high-quality early literacy instruction. Sessions will be held virtually in July and early August with flexible scheduling options available.

Register here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=vUUkRyQkj064UN90iOGLSrEzZ-a5qedCn7AeCQndY1NUN1hBUjA2Rzc3NFpSTTU4TVNDTVYyWERMRi4u&route=shorturl

Even during busy days, mealtime can be a meaningful opportunity to support children’s early literacy development beginning in infancy.

This resource from Talking Is Teaching highlights practical ways to engage babies in conversation during meals, helping to strengthen early vocabulary skills.

Access the 𝘔𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 tip sheet:
https://talkingisteaching.org/parent-resource/meal-time-is-talk-time-tip-sheet-2/

As part of our ongoing partnership with Chattanooga 2.0, TRRC Director Dr. Deborah Reed will join the panel for the webinar, "The Local-State Connection: Advancing Literacy & Early Childhood Success Together With Chattanooga 2.0," on Tuesday, June 9.

The panel highlights the collaborative effort to improve literacy in Tennessee by featuring the contributions of policymakers such as Senator Watson, Hamilton County Schools, and the Chambliss Center for Children. Together, panelists will share insights on how the relationship between state policy and local initiatives can impact literacy outcomes.

Register for the webinar: https://bit.ly/COP-Webinar-Registration

How do state policy and local practice influence the work and actual impact of outcomes for children and families?

Join us on June 9, from 12:30–2 p.m. ET, for an inspiring webinar where leaders with Chattanooga 2.0 will share how they navigate a two-way relationship between state legislation and neighborhood-level change to advance children’s outcomes in literacy and early childhood development.

You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to think strategically about influencing and leveraging state policy to advance children’s outcomes at the local level, and how to recognize when state-created conditions produce openings for stronger local work.

The Local-State Connection: Advancing Literacy & Early Childhood Success Together With Chattanooga 2.0
📅 June 9, 2026 | 12:30–2 p.m. ET

Register now! ➡ https://bit.ly/COP-Webinar-Registration