It is one of only 20 winners nationwide to receive the award, which will promote creative ideas for using Wonderopolis with families. Wonderopolis.org was created by NCFL in 2010 to provide free, family-friendly content that is practical, easy to use and designed to engage children’s natural curiosity and transform it into a lifelong love of learning. It was one of only five family websites that Time Magazine named the 50 best websites in 2011.
“Parent Education is a key component in family literacy programs,” said Roberta Lanterman, program facilitator. “Being able to integrate online learning opportunities like those available on Wonderopolis.org not only teaches parents about resources available to them outside of the classroom, but also provides them with a resource to use to help their child’s language and literacy skills grow.”
The funding will be used to bridge technology gaps that exist within families, as well as provide parents with an online, valuable resource to obtain information, engage with their children, and create ways to continue to solidify family bonds.
“Wonderopolis is a free resource for families and schools, so hundreds of educators across the country already are using it to generate excitement for learning in schools, libraries and homes across the country,” said Emily Kirkpatrick, vice president of NCFL. “But these mini-grants will help the Long Beach Family Literacy Program magnify the reach and impact of this 21st Century online learning tool. Other programs and communities also will learn from the Long Beach Family Literacy Program on how they can maximize the use of Wonderopolis.”
The Long Beach Family Literacy Program serves 100 students ages 1 to 8 and their families by providing a four-component program that includes adult education, parent education, early-childhood or school-age education, and parent and child together time. The Long Beach Family Literacy Program serves low-income families who reside in the highest-poverty, highest-crime areas of Long Beach. Most parents are engaged in English-as-a-Second Language or Adult Basic Education courses at the Long Beach School for Adults or local elementary school campus while their children are in another classroom learning age and developmentally appropriate skills.
“Educators in schools, libraries, community centers, YMCAs and other community-based organizations are facing budget cuts and other challenges in reaching families,” said John Ujda, vice president of marketing for Better World Books. “Wonderopolis helps bridge that gap, and these mini-grants will help the Long Beach Family Literacy Program and others continue to foster creativity in learning by helping personalize Wonderopolis for families in their programs and communities.”
This is the latest partnership effort between NCFL and Better World Books, which began in 2005.
