School Health

Healthy Reading Kits

Healthy Reading is an initiative sponsored by the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development that seeks to promote K-12 health education within the context of promoting sound reading instruction. Healthy Reading Kits, containing a book bag filled with a teacher's manual and a set of children's books, are free to Alaska Classrooms.

Made possible through the generous support of a federal grant fund from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Healthy Reading promotes the exploration and discussion of important health topics through children's literature. Recognizing that teachers across the state too often have "the full plate curriculum", and don't have time or space to add a spearate health curriculum, Healthy Reading offers teachers the ability to teach health while simultaneously teaching readings, and represents a fusion of health standards and the Reading Grade Level Expectations.

Healthy Reading is comprised of a collection of age appropriate books that are selected and field tested by Alaskan teachers to ensure high quality and high student interest. The books cover an array of health issues that emerge naturally as children grow and develop and allow students to connect reading and writing skills to relevant life thinking skills. Ultimately, Healthy Reading can empower and inform students about health issues, leaving them better able to obtain information, set goals and develop plans to guard their health.

The Department of Education & Early Development has three Healthy Reading kits available: Grades 2-4, Grades 5-8, and Grades 9-12. To request a kit, please submit the appropriate order form to Kiara Alexander via email or fax (907) 465-2304.

Available Healthy Reading Materials

Healthy Reading Books on Our Shelf