Rock 'n' Read Project

Librarians know that singing prepares children for reading!

CRISIS
1/3 of MN 4th and 8th grade students CANNOT read at a basic level.

SOLUTION
Prepare all children's brains for reading by having children learn basic music skills. Research has found that children with music skills are better readers! The skills are: keeping the beat, clapping the rhythm of the words of a song (every syllable), vocally matching pitches, and singing in tune.

WHO WE ARE
The Rock 'n' Read Project uses neuroscientifically-based strategies to develop the brain's auditory processing, auditory memory, phonological processing, and beat synchronization (ability to pat a steady beat). Research has found that these brain functions are significantly correlated with proficient reading. With MN state funding, Rock 'n' Read ran a 5-year pilot that helped 2500 2nd-5th grade students gain one year (avg.) in reading after 14 hours of using a singing-based software intervention. 

We're now focused on developing children's brains for reading before they start kindergarten.

WHAT WE OFFER

1. A Research Bibliography of neuroscientific and other studies about the effects of singing and music-making on brain development and achievement
2. A Musical Fitness Assessment for parents and teachers to use with young children https://www.rocknreadproject.org/musical-fitness-assessment
3. The Rock ‘n’ Read Course for PreK and elementary teachers
4. "A Song a Day! Brain Prep for Pre-Readers," 50 sequenced lessons for PreK-K children
5. Zap the Gap, a campaign to prepare ALL children to be able to read proficiently

SOME RESULTS OF USING SINGING TO UNLOCK THE BRAIN'S POTENTIAL FOR READING
* 2500 students made one year (avg.) gain on the MN state reading test after using a singing-based program for 14 hours.
* 3 kindergarten classes at one school outscored all 50 Minneapolis Public schools in letter sound acquisition. 
* A 1st grade class with only 1/3 of students reading at grade level in the fall improved to near 100% proficiency by spring.
* One 4th grade class significantly outscored and made more gain overall in reading fluency than the other class.

OUR WEBSITE

  https://www.rocknreadproject.org

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!