15 Ways to be
a Literate Person


    2. Visit the public library and get a good book to read. Libraries were so important to the people of Iowa that they had a territorial library eight years before becoming a state. We found out this fact and other information about today's State Library of Iowa by visiting their website. You may also want to visit websites of the public libraries in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Marshalltown, and Iowa City.


    3. Write a letter to a relative or friend. Writing letters is a good way to keep in touch with a friend. If you don't know the zip code you can get it by calling your local post office or by visiting the United States Postal Service site on the Internet.


    4. Read a book to a child. You may wish to try one of our favorites: The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss (Ashley's favorite); Chelsey and the Green-Haired Kid by Carol Gorman (Todd's); Face Off by Matt Christopher (Matt's); and Washing the Willow Tree Loon by Jacqueline Briggs Martin.


    5. Write about your growing-up in Iowa. Growing Up in Iowa: Reminiscences of 14 Iowa Authors edited by Clarence A. Andrews, tells the stories of 14 authors who grew up in Iowa.


    6. Read and write about the history of your town. We found these books about four large cities in Iowa. Perhaps you can find some books about your city or town.

    About Cedar Rapids

    Cedar Rapids, Tall Corn and High Technology: A Pictorial History
    by Ernie Dankek (Windsor Publications, 1980)

    Cedar Rapids: The Magnificent Century
    by Harold F. Ewoldt (Windsor Publications, 1988)

    Tales of the Town: Little-Known Anecdotes of Life in Cedar Rapids
    by Ralph Clements (Stamats, 1967)

    About Davenport

    The River and the Prairie: A History of the Quad-Cities, 1812-1960
    by William Roba (Hesperian Press, 1986)

    Davenport, a pictorial history 1836-1986
    by Marlys A. Svendsen (G. Bradley Pub., 1985)

    About Des Moines

    The Iowa Capitol: A Harvest of Design
    by Linda Nelson Johnson (Plain Talk Pub. Co., 1989)

    Looking in Windows: Surprising Stories of Old Des Moines
    by George Mills (Iowa State University Press, 1991)

    About Waterloo

    Cities on the Cedar: A Portrait of Cedar Falls, Waterloo and Black Hawk County
    by Glenda Riley (Mid-Prairie Books, 1988).


    7. Make a picture book about yourself and your children. Send it to someone special.


    8. Buy a book to give as a gift. See our lists of great books to read.


    9. Buy a book for yourself.


    10. Read I Is for Iowa by Mary Ann Gensicke


    11. Read a book by an Iowa Author or Illustrator.


    12. Subscribe to a magazine and read it. One magazine that tells a lot about Iowa and Iowans is the Iowa Commerce Magazine.


    13. Find out if any authors/illustrators live in your hometown. Invite them to your community group to talk about writing books.


    14. Visit a literary place in Iowa. Two places you may wish to visit are the Laura Ingalls Wilder site in Burr Oak, Iowa and the Honey Creek Bridge which is the location of stories told about Kate Shelley, an Iowa hero who saved lives in a raging storm.


    15. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.


    16. Take a child to the library.

    These suggestions were made by members of Miss Kane's fourth and fifth grade students. If you have suggestions for other "literate" activities e-mail us and tell us your idea.

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    © Copyright 1996-2007-- All Rights Reserved
    These pages initially developed by Sharron L. McElmeel and elementary students as part of a  project celebrating 150 Years of Literacy in  Iowa. The pages are maintained by Sharron L. McElmeel and hosted by Iowa Connections.