Long blog post title, isn’t it? Well, I had to catch your attention with enough detail to let you know that I have a little something different for you today than just the usual print content. I actually have a video announcement about the Degrees of Maternity (DOM) Summer Reading Program — which you know I’ve been putting some significant planning into over these last few weeks and months. Oh, and I still have plenty more to do. For sure. But, everything will be ready to go by June 2026, when the program opens its virtual doors.
Now, the focus is not on the fact that I’ve chosen to use a video format to introduce the program to the world. The method of delivery has its place, but the main emphasis should always be placed on the content provided in the method of delivery or format.
And, because I’m not one to put my face out there much or be naturally comfortable behind a camera, the recording of the video is a big deal for me. Not my zone of genius, but I did my best. Remember: I’m a writer and a teacher, not a YouTuber. (Although . . . I tried YouTubing for a stint. Wasn’t my thang. Hee. Hee.)
Anyway, I’d love for you to take a look at the video below, if you haven’t already. And, tell me what you think. Constructive criticism is always welcome here. The reason I say “if you haven’t already” has everything to do with you, as a part of my email-newsletter family, having access to the video before I dropped it here. (Online family, subscribing to the L.I.T. News Newsletter, the DOM monthly newsletter that’s distributed every 4th Sunday of the month, had access to the video on April 26th.)
And, please don’t take that the wrong way, if you’re not subscribed to the newsletter — yet. You’re ABSOLUTELY part of my online family, too! You know I’ll always keep you abreast of the big announcements. But, you are missing some life-improvement content over there that I’m not dishing out over here. So, you REALLY need to sign up to receive my newsletter, if you haven’t already. Oh, and here’s the link to do so.
https://chipper-designer-6567.kit.com/bb55b586c9
So, if you are one of my family members over at the newsletter abode and you’ve already watched the video, “THANK YOU SO MUCH! I truly appreciate you for that! You can disregard my request to watch the video here, unless you’d enjoy watching it again. And in that case, “THANK YOU! THANK YOU SO MUCH! You’ve made this here lover of all things literacy incredibly happy and humbled. I appreciate the extra time you’ve taken to support my efforts.”
Whether you’re watching it for the first time or again, I would appreciate your honest feedback on the video and the message I’m putting out there for interested parties. And maybe you’re one of those parties — I would love that! Maybe you also know of someone who could use summer reading instruction for their 2nd through 5th grader. It would be those families who want to strengthen foundational reading skills that set up their children for reading mastery, or simply to prevent summer slide, where the children regress in their reading ability because of the lack of reading activity over the summer.
In either case, I’m here for the children. So, please feel free to help me spread the word about the DOM Summer Reading Program. You are welcome to forward the video link to others you know may be interested. And, I’m doing something a little different for this third annual summer reading program of mine. I’m doing classes instead of one-on-one instruction this year. Yup, classes.
In fact, I currently have a youth leadership community that I created for elementary and middle school children that I meet with weekly. And, guess what? Well, there’s just something incredibly special about bringing young people together and observing the synergy of a group that yields compounding growth in learning processes. The children in my membership don’t just come to see me and hear me talk and learn from me, they mainly come to see each other, listen to each other, and learn from each other. So, there you go. Classes, it is!
Oh, and if families are interested in hearing more about the program and moving forward with next steps, then I’ll need a way to visit with them. So I’ve created a Google Form for them to complete. That way, I’ll have their contact information and can set up a Zoom meeting to discuss the program and see if it will work for their child.
So, what do you think? And, what are your questions?
Oh, and again, feel free to forward these links (coming up) or this whole blog post, and use them in your social media or platforms where you share information with others. You can find the video link here and the form link here.
degreesofmaternity.com 