‘Houston, We HAD a Problem’
Sara Yu – October 19, 2015
At Success Academy, every employee strives to show ETHOS: excellence, team, humor, ownership, scholars (putting kids first). These five principles drive everything we do as an organization and fuel our success.
Learning by Reading, Learning by Talking
Sara Yu – July 29, 2015
For the past few weeks, I’ve focused on ways to help kids’ reading and writing soar while school is out. But children aren’t the only ones who keep learning over the summer; all our school team members learn, too.
Summer Soar: Write All About It
Sara Yu – July 13, 2015
Four ways to take your scholar’s summer writing to the next level!
Summer Soar: Let Books Inspire Your Travels
Sara Yu – June 26, 2015
We’re incredibly lucky to live in NYC, where some of the all-time best children’s books are set…
Summer Soar: Reading Challenge Accepted
Sara Yu – June 19, 2015
Reading challenges are a simple, creative way to inspire the reluctant readers among us and a tool to keep pushing avid readers to new heights. They are also a powerful antidote against summer slide.
Summer Soar: Using Books to Enhance Summer Adventures
Sara Yu – June 12, 2015
We don’t want to just prevent summer slide; we want to reverse it. We want to achieve Summer Soar.
Danger Ahead: Summer Learning Loss
Sara Yu – June 7, 2015
Numerous studies indicate that kids who don’t read regularly over the summer fall an average of two months behind, and that children from lower-income homes are most at risk.
The Carrot or the Stick? Motivating Kids to Read
Sara Yu – May 26, 2015
For as many reading logs, timers, incentive programs, and star charts there are, there are as many individuals staunchly opposed to applying any extrinsic motivation to reading. And I can’t say I disagree with them.
A Home (and a Life) Full of Books
Sara Yu – May 15, 2015
In my one-bedroom apartment, you will also find six free-standing bookcases and a hall closet that’s been converted into a book nook.
When Not To Get E-Books for Kids
Sara Yu – May 8, 2015
Print books are still valuable. Here are three reasons why you should choose print over digital books, especially for younger children…
Are E-Books Good for Kids?
Sara Yu – May 1, 2015
On Thursday President Obama announced a plan to make $250 million worth of e-books available to public libraries as part of an effort to expand literacy and “digital connectivity” among low-income students…
Poetry is NOT Dead
Sara Yu – April 19, 2015
Somewhere along the way, poetry seems to have developed a reputation for being boring, old-fashioned, and impossible to understand. Sure, there are plenty of esoteric and oblique poems out there, but there are hundreds and hundreds of poems that are accessible and enjoyable for children.
Building an Authentic Passion for Reading Should Not Be “Polarizing”
Sara Yu – April 9, 2015
I joined Success Academy because this job lets me do what I know is right: provide access to thousands of high-quality books to kids, most of whom live in neighborhoods without bookstores, and share my love of books and my belief in the power of reading with leaders, teachers, and kids.
One School, One Book: Using Books to Bring a School Community Together
Sara Yu – March 20, 2015
One School, One Book is a powerful literacy initiative designed to help an entire school community—kids and grownups alike—fall in love with books. We piloted the program last year and have now rolled it out to all first- and second-year schools. Soon, we’ll take this initiative network-wide…
Possible Is Knowing that Books and Reading Can and Do Change Lives
Sara Yu – March 6, 2015
I thought I’d share my convictions of what is possible when a school develops a true love of reading across its entire community. I encourage you to add your thoughts and your own vision of what is possible in the comments section below.
Why I Didn’t Post a List of Recommended Books for Black History Month
Sara Yu – February 27, 2015
I am constantly on the lookout for books about black history to add to our classroom libraries and share with scholars. So it might seem odd that I didn’t post a list of recommended books for Black History Month.
How Can I Find the Right Books for My Child?
Sara Yu – February 20, 2015
Our Director of Children’s Literature, Sara Yu answers two frequently asked parent questions about supporting children’s independent reading.
Fall in Love with Books on Valentine’s Day
Sara Yu – February 13, 2015
This Valentine’s Day, as we celebrate our love of books across the Success Academy network, I’d like to share some of the joyful ways we spread our love of reading.
The “Academy Awards” of Picture Books
Sara Yu – February 6, 2015
On Monday, the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association (ALA) awarded the Randolph Caldecott Medal, the most prestigious award in children’s literature. The Caldecott Medal is awarded to “the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.”
Wordless Picture Books Speak Volumes
Sara Yu – January 30, 2015
Why are wordless picture books such an important piece of our curriculum?
When Closing The Book Opens The Door To Learning
Sara Yu – January 23, 2015
The why behind our controversial fifth amendment: Every Success Academy scholar has the right to NOT finish an Independent Reading book if a compelling reason is provided.
Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Some Recommended Readings
Sara Yu – January 16, 2015
We have compiled a list of nonfiction books that can pique your children’s interest in Dr. King and the civil rights movement and launch them into further research and discovery.
Every Success Academy Reader Has the Right To…
Sara Yu – January 11, 2015
Success Academy guarantees to all scholars the following inalienable rights as readers….
Reading Resolutions: Make 2015 Your Best Reading Year Yet!
Sara Yu – December 22, 2014
This year, we’re encouraging our scholars, families, teachers and other colleagues across Success Academy schools to make reading resolutions – resolving to read MORE and read BETTER to nourish themselves as readers.