2 Learn

Dickinson-Iron Great Start’s UP Literacy Hub

During 2022-2023 the Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition will be focusing on the following programs to improve children’s reading skills and interest in reading. Over the past ten years, DI Great Start has experienced great success helping children to prioritize daily reading with two popular programs: Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Read Out and Read. Starting in 2020, two new early literacy programs have been introduced resulting in more positive interest in families reading together: Talking is Teaching and Family Information Stations. Get to know all about helping children in Dickinson and Iron Counties read daily!

Dickinson-Iron Great Start Early Literacy 2022-2023 Programs:

  • IMAGINATION LIBRARY
  • REACH OUT AND READ
  • TALKING IS TEACHING
  • READING CHALLENGE
  • FAMILY INFORMATION STATIONS
  • BOOK BINS
  • BOOK GIVEAWAYS
  • SATURDAY READING CIRCLES
  • BOOK MAILBOXES
  • BOOK TREE
  • MARCH READING MONTH
  • RAISE A READER PRESENTATIONS
Love to Read

Dickinson-Iron Great Start Early Literacy
Barb Reisner
greatstart@imupmi.com
906-396-9546

MI U.P. LITERACY HUB

IMAGINATION LIBRARY

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program mails books to children ages birth to five monthly.  Great Start and Intermediate School District coordinate this popular early literacy program that puts over 1,100 books a month in the hands of children in Dickinson and Iron Counties.

REACH OUT AND READ

Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based early literacy program that promotes medical professionals giving books to young children at their ‘wellness check’ visits.   United Way, Great Start and the Imagination Factory provide new children’s books for Reach Out and Read programs at 4 local medical clinics.

RAISE A READER

Great Start encourages families to participate in RAISE A READER Programs throughout the year.  Every Saturday at the Imagination Factory Children’s Museum books are put in the hands of children and families participate in morning children’s activities sponsored by Great Start.

FAMILY INFO STATIONS

FAMILY INFORMATION STATIONS are ready for viewing at 16 locations in Dickinson and Iron Counties.  Family Information Stations provide new and innovative information on early literacy for families. Spring 2023 – STORYWALKS will be implemented at parks. 

READING PROGRAMS

In Dickinson and Iron Counties Great Start, Kiwanis and United Way sponsor MARCH READING MONTH activities for all local elementary schools.  Early literacy activities include:  READING CHALLENGE, CLASSROOM READING CIRCLES and BOOK GIVEAWAYS.

BOOK TREES & MAILBOXES

Book Mailboxes are outdoor libraries where children can select books to take home resulting in daily reading routines.  BOOK TREES are places where children can sit quietly to read books and enjoy creative stuffed ‘reading buddies’.