Reading Rainbow KS!

Off-topic
#1

Hi Forumites.

So I’m pretty sure we can all agree how important reading is- even for a game like KCD. Its success hinges in many ways on people being interested in history, humanity, and learning. The kids who will love games like these and ensure their place in the world’s future cultural lexicon are kids who have been engaged (and taught to engage themselves) in learning, knowledge and literacy.

A big part of why I turned into that kind of adult, is because I was encouraged to be that kind of kid- not just by my family, but by the world around me. A big part of that childhood engagement, for me, came out of programs like LeVar Burton’s Reading Rainbow- in that it taught me that no matter who I was or what I was feeling, I could open a book and be somewhere else.

My kids deserve this, your kids deserve this, and so does every other child the whole world over. As we all contributed to KCD on kickstarter, I thought this was the perfect place to drum up support for the fact that Reading Rainbow is also now being kickstarted- with the goal of making a new online Reading Rainbow that is accessible to every kid with access to a computer, for free.

I am NOT advertising or anything, I do not work with RR in any way- I just want to see this thing succeed, and thought our little forum here would be the perfect place to spread the word.

Check the campaign out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/readingrainbow/bring-reading-rainbow-back-for-every-child-everywh?ref=discovery

Much love!

-k1dd

1 Like
#2

My wife and I were counting down to the one million mark. After they hit it we watched the Levar Burton reaction video. He was very moved that they hit their mark in just one day.

Currently they’re just under three million, which pay for access for countless schools and community centers that wouldn’t be able to provide these reading materials otherwise. The Reading Rainbow app has not only books (lots and lots of books) but also Reading Rainbow field trips like they used to do on the show.

We contributed at the $175 level to provide access to the app for our niece and because we’re both passionate about this.

If you are looking for something to contribute to on Kickstarter there’s no better place. Donate $5 or more to a worthy cause.

#3

Yeah, I got in on this when it was around $200K, and it’s been a lot of fun (and a good feeling) to watch the numbers continue to grow and grow quickly.

I hope this becomes the most-funded project ever on Kickstarter. The list: https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/most-funded

What stands out to me about the project is the awareness that TV alone is no longer the best medium to connect with today’s kids. Digital and mobile stuff is, and that’s what led to the app that already exists, though mainly for tablets. If (well, now when) they expand it to computers, smartphones and more (maybe even consoles would be possible through an app), it only expands the ways families can use this.

The classroom part of it is big. I know right now the tablet app is $10 a month or $30 for six months, so there is a cost factor involved. That’s why bringing it free to classrooms in need is important, but I also hope there is a way to donate subscriptions to families in need if something like that can be arranged. It looks like people have asked about getting this into libraries as well, which they’re going to research.

There’s really no limit to what this can do in an expanded format. I definitely grew up with this show and I know it helped foster my own love of reading, so I’m happy to contribute to this and help others benefit from it as well. I know there’s a for-profit side to the whole thing, but it’s not a show that’s just on PBS any more, seen only through the generosity of others. These things don’t get made for free.

#4

Lol wow, those replies came faster than I expected. Good to see others got on this before I did! RR FTW!

#5

First stretch goal for Reading Rainbow is up, and I can’t see it not being reached:

1 Like
#6

Yep, I just got the email commenting on hitting two million (they’re at 2.8 mission now). The stretch goal is to hit five million. For that they can fund the Reading Rainbow access for 7500 schools versus 1500. Also they will be able to prove access on Roku, Apple TV, XBox, Android, mobile devices, and Playstation.

I know the KCD community is experienced funding a worthwhile project. This certainly qualifies. If the entire KCD community donates at $25 (or more) it could add up to quite a bit towards their goal of getting Reading Rainbow in 7500 schools!

Come on people, you grew up with Reading Rainbow. Let’s stamp out illiteracy (one in four children today) by giving at least a $5 pledge.

#7

So excited. Let’s get it to 5 mil guys!

1 Like
#8

I hope they can make it, Kids need all the help they can get. Hard to believe 1 out of 4 kids are illiterate.

1 Like
#9

I’m a backer as well even though I’m a European guy. Let’s be honest: a better educated Amercia is probably good for the whole planet. And in the end, it’s for the children. :wink:

2 Likes
#10

They don’t specify in Levar’s videos where the literate children are located. I would guess the problem areas are the inner cities and out at rural schools.

In the hearts of cities the schools are more like detention camps than academies of learning. A teacher’s goal is not to get shot and keep his students off drugs. As far as the rural areas, they can’t afford the technology in this age of everything going digital. If they hit their stretch goal those school on the fringe will get access to the technology that they otherwise couldn’t pay for.

It’s important that they hit the five million dollar mark. That goes towards making Reading Rainbow’s vast library and field trips available to even the poorest schools. I believe this project could put a major dent in the illiteracy problem in this country.

It’s worth $25 and a few minutes of everyone’s time to pledge. I’d love to see the KCD community all contribute to Reading Rainbow’s stretch goal

#11

Thread bump alert!

This worthy project is at $3.5 million. The $5 million goal will bring make Reading Rainbow available to a vastly larger number of classrooms. If you were thinking about pledging and haven’t yet please shoot over to Kickstarter and throw done a few bucks (or more).

Reading Rainbow Kickstarter Page

Levar Burton has been burning the midnight oil giving interviews and speaking at events to make this a success. He was truly moved when this hit $1 million in its first day. I imagine he’ll be outright floored if/when it hits $5 million.

If anyone has $10,000 laying around you can either pledge to have Levar do a school assembly (only 2 of 10 left) OR you can meet Levar & Brent Spiner with the opportunity to wear the infamous Geordi visor. I admit my priorities are screwed up but I’d go with the visor if I had the that much to pledge. :smiley:

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