At Memphis Striving Readers, we are committed to fostering literacy in our community. Our program offers various opportunities for individuals and families to engage with reading and learning.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about our initiatives, please feel free to reach out. We are here to assist you in any way we can.

Here are some ways you can connect with us:

Your involvement makes a difference in our mission to improve literacy across Memphis. We look forward to hearing from you!

Bringing Reading into the Kitchen at Home

The kitchen is one of the best places in any home to build reading habits, because it is where families already spend time together. Cooking turns print into something useful: a recipe has to be read in order, measurements have to be understood, and a missed step has real consequences. That makes it a natural, low-pressure way for children and adult learners to practise skills without feeling like they are doing homework.

Simple ways to make your kitchen a reading space

  • Read recipes aloud together. Let a child or a new reader read each step while someone else does the stirring, then swap roles. Sounding out words like simmer, whisk or tablespoon builds vocabulary in context.
  • Label the pantry. Simple printed or handwritten labels on jars and shelves give younger children everyday practice recognising words.
  • Write the shopping list as a team. Planning a meal and listing ingredients combines spelling, sequencing and a little maths.
  • Keep a family recipe notebook. Writing down a grandparent's dish, or a favourite Memphis-style meal, preserves family stories and gives reluctant writers a reason to put pen to paper.
  • Read packaging and labels. Nutrition panels and cooking instructions are real-world texts that teach readers to scan for key information.

Tips for keeping it positive

Choose recipes that match the reader's level, from picture-based instructions for early readers to longer cookbook pages for confident ones. Praise effort rather than speed, and be patient with tricky words. Short, regular sessions, such as reading one recipe on a weekend morning, usually work better than long ones.

If you would like more ideas for reading at home, take a look at our family reading resources, or find out how our tutoring and family reading nights can support your household.