Remember the Pins are for the scout doing their best to learn about the sport or academic activity, and by putting the new techniques to practice with fellow scouts, in their community, or working with an adult.

1. Write an original poem or story.

2. Keep a journal of daily activities for at least seven days.

3. Listen to a news story on television or the radio.   Discuss the information with an adult.

4. Go to the library.  use the card catalog or computer reference system to find a book, and then check it out.

5. Read a book that has been approved by your parent or teacher.  Discuss the book with an adult.

6. With a friend, develop a skit.  perform it at a Scout meeting, family meeting, or school event.

7. Learn the alphabet in sign language.  Learn how to sign 10 words.

8. With an adult, use the Internet to search for information on a topic of interest to you.

9. Watch three television commercials and discuss the information in them with your parent or den leader.

10. Read the directions for a new game.  Explain to a family member or friend how to play it.

11. Learn about "reading" materials for people who have poor vision or who are blind.

12. While traveling, make a list of road signs, animals, or license plates that you see.

Habits of Good Writers

• Decide on the topic you are going to write about.

• Brainstorm - think of what you are going to say about this topic.

• Make up a plan for how you are going to organize your ideas on the topic.

• Write down your ideas as clearly as you can.

• Reread your first draft to be sure you have said everything you wanted to say as clearly as possible.

• Make any changes so that your reader will understand exactly what you are trying to say.

• Edit your work for spelling, punctuation, and correct grammar.

Tips For Reading

• Recognize the words on the page.

• Know the meanings of the words.

• Think about the ideas of the story.

• Use the information you already know to understand what your are reading.

A Fistful of Words

• Pick a page or a book or magazine you want to read.

• Look at each word on that page.  Begin to make a "fist" of words you don't recognize.  For each word that you don't recognize, bend one of your fingers down.

• If all five fingers are down, that, if you have made a fist before you come to the last word on that page, then you have a "fistful of words" that you do not know.  That is a sign that you probably will need some help in reading the book.

Check out your local and school library as well as a local university or community college for resources on communicating.

International Reading Association
800 Barksdale Road
P.O. Box 8139
Newark, DE 19714-8139
Phone:    302.731.1600  ext.224

Web Site:    http://www.reading.org

National Institute for Literacy(NIFL)
800 Connecticut Ave. N.W.
Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20006
Phone:    202.632.1500

Web Site:    http://www.nifl.gov

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)
Library of Congress
Washington. D.C. 20542
Phone:    202.707.5100

Web Site:    http://lcweb.loc.gov/nls

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
330 C St. SW
Switzer Building, Room 4613
Washington, D.C. 20202
Phone:    202.205.5507

Web Site:    http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/index.html

Learning Disabilities Association of America
4156 Library Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1349
Phone:    412.341.1515

Web Site:    http://www.ldanatl.org