Fred's Used Websites
Providing positive, meaningful
and effective literacy support
for developing readers.
Linda Leon, President and co-founder of Kids Read, has expertise in diagnosing reading problems and developing instructional strategies for young readers. She has spent more than a decade developing innovative and effective literacy support programs in the Loveland, Colorado school district. Linda's many years of working with developing readers inspired her to create the Zirkel game concept. She has been a full time faculty member at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado where she was also the Director of the Reading Center in the School of Teacher Education. Linda earned a Master’s degree in Reading from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Linda is married with three adult children and seven grandchildren.
Jane Askham, Vice President and co-founder of Kids Read, spent many years providing assessment and individualized literacy support to young readers as a paraprofessional in the Loveland, Colorado school district. She enjoyed being a member of the Children’s Department at the Loveland Public Library in Loveland, Colorado. Jane earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. Jane is married with two adult children.
Kids Read began in 2010 in response to the lack of individualized literacy support available to families during the summer.
Many of the young readers we interacted with were reluctant to choose reading during the summer and would consequently lose some of their reading proficiency prior to going back to school. To get kids engaged, we designed a more playful way to practice reading while integrating literacy instructional best practices. Linda drew on all of her professional expertise and personal experience to create and embed the concepts in a game format. The result was well received and could be used in a variety of settings.
Working with a local artist Jane designed a game board prototype incorporating the concepts that became Zirkel©. We have been delighted to see kids find joy while reading and playing Zirkel. Many have commented that rolling the dice and sharing their thoughts out loud while playing Zirkel makes reading practice more fun.
| Powered By Fred's Used Websites |
|