Weekly Reader Publishing was a publisher of educational materials in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
that had been in existence for over 100 years. It provided teaching materials to elementary and secondary schools that was used by more than 90 percent of that country's school districts.
Overview
The company’s flagship publication was ''
Weekly Reader
''Weekly Reader'' was a weekly educational classroom magazine designed for children. It began in 1928 as ''My Weekly Reader''. Editions covered curriculum themes in the younger grade levels and news-based, current events and curriculum themed- ...
,'' a grade-specific classroom magazine that served elementary students in over 50,000 schools across the country.
''Weekly Reader ''also published branded periodicals and instructional materials for middle and high school students, along with a full range of supplementary educational materials for grades Pre-K–9. These curriculum-specific products included classroom magazines, workbooks, reproducibles, early learning centers, and more.
The company’s age- and grade-appropriate elementary and secondary publications integrated reading, writing, science, math, social studies, current events, and life skills topics into “news-style” classroom magazines and other formats.
The company, by then known as ''American Education Publications'', was purchased for $8.6 million in 1949 by
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University ( ) is a Private university, private liberal arts college, liberal arts university in Middletown, Connecticut, United States. It was founded in 1831 as a Men's colleges in the United States, men's college under the Methodi ...
, which sold it in 1965 to
Xerox Corp. in exchange for $56 million in stock.
In 2007, Weekly Reader Corporation became part of The
Reader's Digest Association
Trusted Media Brands, Inc. (TMBI), formerly known as the Reader's Digest Association, Inc. (RDA), is an American Multimedia, multi-platform media and publishing company that is co-headquartered in New York City and in White Plains, New York. T ...
, based in
Chappaqua, New York. Weekly Reader's main office was relocated from
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford () is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, outside of New York City. It is the sixth-most populous city in New England. Stamford is also the largest city in the Western Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut, Weste ...
, to Chappaqua at the end of May 2007.
It was acquired by
Scholastic Corporation
Scholastic Corporation is an American multinational publishing, education, and media company that publishes and distributes books, comics, and educational materials for schools, teachers, parents, children, and other educational institutions. P ...
in 2012, which shut down its title publications and integrated the company into its ''Scholastic News'' division.
[Kosman, Josh and Keith J. Kelly (July 23, 2012)]
Landmark publication Weekly Reader to shut down
''The New York Post''. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
Elementary school classroom magazines
''
Weekly Reader
''Weekly Reader'' was a weekly educational classroom magazine designed for children. It began in 1928 as ''My Weekly Reader''. Editions covered curriculum themes in the younger grade levels and news-based, current events and curriculum themed- ...
'' – grade-appropriate magazines for students in grades Pre-K to 2. Content built children’s general knowledge, reinforced the literacy scope and sequence used in the classroom, and aligned with national standards. ''Weekly Reader'' helped students read, write, talk, and listen, while reinforcing themes and skills taught in basal reading programs.
''WR News'' – grade-appropriate news magazines for students in grades 3 to 6.
Middle school and high school classroom magazines
''Read'' was for students in grades 6–10. It included plays, fiction, and nonfiction that motivated students to read while building reading comprehension skills.
''Current Events'' was for students in grades 1–10. In-depth coverage of world and national news in a student-friendly format.
''Current Health 1 & 2'' – for students in grades 6–8 and 1–12 respectively. Covered most state health curricula, so it could be used as a stand-alone teaching tool.
''Current Science'' – for students in grades 3–10. Each issue covered major areas of the science curriculum, using relevant news and events.
''Career World'' – for students in grades 1–12. Gave students guidance to make better decisions about school, careers, and life after school.
Supplementary educational materials
Student-practice books, reproducibles, and activity centers for students in grades Pre-K–9 that supplemented an array of curriculum areas, support teaching standards. Grade-appropriate resources that helped children achieve their educational goals.
References
External links
Weekly Reader Publishingcompany web site
{{Reader's Digest
Weekly Reader
Magazine publishing companies of the United States
2012 disestablishments in the United States
Defunct publishing companies of the United States
American companies disestablished in 2012