Press Releases

The new initiative focuses on second grade literacy development through embodied learning strategies, community partnerships, and professional development.

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ResearchEd is partnering with The Castle and North Putnam Community Schools in Indiana, on Reading Together: A Collaborative Approach to Embodied Literacy, a new initiative that supports second-grade literacy development through creative, hands-on learning and strong partnerships among educators, families, and the community.

 

Students will participate in embodied literacy experiences through arts-integrated classroom workshops. Families and community members will join in exploration sessions that build shared visions for ideal learning, and second grade teachers will take part in a community of practice to deepen their use of embodied literacy and ideal learning principles in the classroom.

 

“North Putnam Community Schools are uniquely positioned to innovate when we work side‑by‑side with our community,” said Rodney Simpson, Assistant Superintendent at North Putnam Community Schools. “Reading Together brings arts, movement, and family engagement into the heart of literacy instruction, giving our students a richer and more connected learning experience.”

 

ResearchEd will help document the initiative through teacher surveys, interviews, classroom observations, and community feedback to identify effective practices and develop resources that can benefit other rural schools.

 

The partnership will produce:

• A teacher resource toolkit with strategies to help other rural schools strengthen literacy through school-community partnerships

• A case study highlighting student outcomes and family, teacher, and community perspectives

 

The project is designed as a pilot that can grow over time. Lessons learned will help inform future expansion into kindergarten and first grade while providing a model that other rural schools and communities can adapt to meet their own needs.

 

"Children learn best when schools, families, and communities work together," said Rachel Rush-Marlowe, Founder and Executive Director of ResearchEd. "Our role is to capture what's working and share practical tools that help more communities strengthen literacy and support young learners."

 

About North Putnam Community Schools: 

North Putnam Community Schools is a rural public school district in Putnam County, Indiana, serving approximately 1,370 students across 4 schools from pre-k through 12th grade. The Reading Together initiative is taking place in the districts’ two elementary schools: Bainbridge & Roachdale.

 

About The Castle

The Putnam County Coalition for Education and the Creative Arts (The Castle) partners with schools and communities to create joyful, creative learning experiences for children and educators. Through arts-integrated programming and community partnerships, The Castle expands educational opportunities and strengthens connections between schools and their communities.

 

About ResearchEd
ResearchEd is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering action through student-centered research. By partnering with schools, communities, and organizations, ResearchEd helps turn research into practical solutions that improve educational opportunities and student success.

 

This work was made possible through the Equity, Relationships, and Adult Development (ERA) Grant from Trust for Learning, an early childhood education philanthropy collaborative.

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Contact 

Sam Comai

Research Associate

info@research-ed.org

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