Monthly Archives: August 2020

Dog Ears, Councilman Scanlon team up for reading promotion

Dog Ears Bookstore & Literary Art Center and South District Councilman Christopher Scanlon are teaming up to launch a leveled reader books giveaway program called Reading: Better Together at two events this month. 

The first giveaway will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Sunday, Aug. 23, at the South Buffalo Farmers’ Market in Cazenovia Park. A second event will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at the nonprofit bookstore, located at 688 Abbott Road in South Buffalo.

“In addition to the books, information and bookmarks will also be given to readers and parents to help promote comprehension and reading skills and techniques to enhance the reading process,” said Thomas McDonnell, executive director of the bookstore. 

Dog Ears has also launched a new YouTube channel with videos to accompany the information and help guide parents on their child’s reading journey. For more information, please visit https://youtu.be/nQYp2umfi5E.

Dog Ears is also encouraging people attending either event to bring a nonperishable food item to support the South Buffalo Community Table.

Dog Ears Bookstore to offer free parent workshops

Parents are becoming increasingly involved with their children’s at-home education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Helping school age youth with their reading skills and comprehension can be a daunting task for parents and adult caregivers. Dog Ears Bookstore has scheduled free workshops for parents that will give participants useful and practical strategies to improve and enhance their child’s reading skills and ability.

The workshops target parents of youth who are in grades PreK – 8. Parents of those in PreK-1st grade will concentrate on tips and tricks for children who are “Learning To Read” while parents of students in 2nd-5th grades will learn how to help their child improve their “Reading To Learn” skills. Strategies to advance “Reading Skills For Different Content Areas” for youth in 6th-8th grades will also be covered. Each workshop will be targeted towards a specific grade group.

All sessions will be taught by literacy specialists and New York State-certified English Language Arts teachers. Instructors will guide parents on how to successfully work with their children to improve their reading comprehension through skill building. Parents will learn practical strategies to improve their child’s reading habits and ability, regardless of reading level. Participants will also receive helpful handouts to utilize at home and will have time during the sessions to ask questions.

Workshops will be held on the following dates:

• Tuesday, Aug. 25 (6th-8th Grade)

• Thursday, Sept. 10 (6th-8th Grade)

• Saturday, Sept. 12 (2nd-5th Grade)

• Tuesday, Sept. 15 (2nd–5th Grade)

• Thursday, Sept. 24 (PreK – 1st Grade)

• Saturday, Sept. 26 (PreK – 1st Grade)

Tuesday and Thursday sessions will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday sessions will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. All sessions will take place at Dog Ears Bookstore, which is located at 688 Abbott Road, Buffalo (near Mercy Hospital). Sessions will be held upstairs of the bookstore (enter through the front entrance). All COVID protocols must be followed including social distancing and mask wearing. The Café will be open for food and beverage purchases during the Saturday sessions only.

Workshops are for parents only and child care will not be provided. Each workshop will be offered twice for each grade level although parents only need to attend one session as both sessions will cover the same content. The free workshops are made possible through funding by the Erie County Youth Bureau.

Spaces are limited and pre-registration is required. Parents can sign up by calling the Bookstore at (716) 823-2665.