Literacy In Action

Lauren and Sarah – language skills

Mar 202013

Sarah and Lauren are about to turn two and have already changed so much in the past few months. They are doing a lot more talking and have increased their use of two and three word sentences. They say “please” and “thank you” when requesting things they want and are better able at using their words to express themselves.

They also point to objects and name them on a regular basis, looking to us for confirmation as they label everything in their world. They continued to attend story time at the local library and love to do the finger plays and sing songs. Their favourite songs right now are “Happy Birthday”, “Twinkle, twinkle”, and singing the alphabet. Although their accuracy of the words is not 100% yet, every time we sing with them they seem to be saying the words more clearly and confidently.

Their love for books continues to grow and they have their favourites that they seem to like to read over and over again! They can answer simple questions that we ask them while reading such as “where is the dog?” or “what kind of animal is that?”. I think it is also really important to make comments and observations while reading books with them to get them to start thinking about the story and make predictions about what will happen or what a character might be feeling. This is helping to develop a child’s reading comprehension which is a very important lifelong skill for understanding what we read and for developing critical thinking tools.

I have noticed that the girls’ ability to sit and listen to a story from beginning to end has increased, indicating that they are probably paying more attention to the story as opposed to simply looking at the pictures. They often point out things to us as well without prompting, which indicates that they are remembering particular details or pictures from having read the same story previously.

An alumna of UBishops, Megan Collins lives in Calgary with her ‘growing family’. We’ve been featuring Megan’s posts about Lauren, Sarah, and their books since December 2011. Let’s compare Sarah, when her fingers were soooo tiny holding a book, to now!

…and now!

Formal and non-formal learning

Feb 282013

When people hear the word ‘literacy’ they might first think about the basic skills taught in early school years. Foundation skills such as the 3Rs (reading, writing and math) are key skills needed for educational success by each and every student making their way through 13 years of pre-university schooling. Today other ‘literacies’ are considered equally important in schools, such as health literacy, sports literacy, computer literacy, citizenship, to name a few. Learning in a school setting is called formal learning and entails a curriculum taught progressively and diplomas awarded periodically so students may continue on a path of formal learning.

Community literacy programs are informal learning opportunities. These programs may take the form of a workshop, a talk, a one-on-one lesson, or an online video. Community literacy programs provide an alternative approach to learning. Sometimes called popular education because people decide what they want to learn, when they want to learn, and how they want to learn, community literacy programs are often cost-free and volunteer-based. You’ll find these programs taking place at community centers, cafes, museums, libraries, shopping malls, street festivals, to give a few examples. More often than not there is no preset curriculum. Instead these programs tend to shape themselves to meet specific learning needs expressed by individuals.

Family Literacy Day 2013

Jan 252013

Maybe it’s a snow-storming day or the outside temperature is -30. It’s too cold to go to the library. Your preschooler is restless and wants to read a new book. How about “The Snowy Day”, a winter classic by author E J Keats.

What? Don’t have that book in the house? No problem. Read it online at We Give Books. Register on the website (no fuss, muss, or cost), choose a book, and let your child turn the pages. It’s fun! Here’s what you’ll see on your computer screen.

We Give Books is just one of the new digital initiatives enabling anyone with access to the Internet to put books in the hands of children who don’t have them, simply by reading online. Sort and choose books by category: age (0-3, 4-7, 8-10), subject, author, most recent, most read, and alphabetical. Think of it as your virtual bookshelf, an extension of the home and library bookshelves.

Here’s a screen shot of the We Give Books bookshelf.

Research shows that technology is engaging reluctant young readers in the act of reading. Parents can try reading online books to turn around attitudes, such as ‘books are boring’.

Another free and easy-to-use ‘booksite’ is the International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL). Your child can spin a globe and choose books from around the world. Simple searches are made by categories such as; age, character, picture or chapter, short or long, award winning books, by colour! or language (19 languages in all). You’ll be surprised by the collection … we found a children’s book circa 1902! Click here to go to the ICDL website, then let your child click away!

Canada’s National Reading Plan

Jan 222013

With Family Literacy Day just 5 days away, it seems appropriate to shine a light on Canada’s National Reading Campaign.

The National Reading Plan addresses ways to ensure that each of us — regardless of age, background, income level, level of education, or location — has access to reading of all kinds and in all platforms.

In 2008 a group of volunteers got together to talk about a nationwide way to make Canada a country of readers. Out of this initiative was born our own National Reading Plan. The Plan lists 11 reasons why reading is important. Excerpted from this list are reasons like reading inspires, reading lays the foundation for future learning, reading increases self-worth and triggers the imagination, reading preserves culture and increases individuals’ health and economic well-being.

A NRC activity that is underway is “What did you read today?”. This is a public awareness campaign aiming to make reading a national priority and to encourage governments at all levels to take policy steps to make Canada a nation of readers.

Reading is the simple, accessible, ordinary yet extraordinary thing we do that makes us, and every day, better. Just by opening a book, a blog or whatever you choose, you open yourself up to new ideas, cultures and perspectives. And in a global economy where knowledge is power, reading is the turbine. That’s why when Canada reads, Canada grows.

Find out all about it here.

Reading is a gift

Dec 212012

Happy Holidays!

Lifelong Learner – Pierre-Marcel

Dec 172012

Pierre-Marcel came to Literacy in Action seeking help with English. He arrived in Quebec in 2008 from Haiti to study in Science Economics at Sherbrooke University on a scholarship from the Haitian government. After completing his Masters program he spent some months in California improving his English at a not-for-profit literacy organization. 1-1 tutoring helped Marcel improve quickly and efficiently so on his return to the Eastern Townships he sought out a similar program in Lennoxville. He made inquiries at the Lennoxville Library and was referred to us. Since October, Marcel has been meeting with a tutor each week for 1 to 1 ½ hours.

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Q - Why did you decide to journey to Canada and continue your education in Quebec?

A - When I was a little boy in Haiti, I knew many things about Quebec, especially Montreal, because a huge Haitian community is living there. Some of them come from the same neighborhood where I grew up. After my studies, when time came to apply for a Masters program, Quebec’s universities were my priority. I really love Quebec, but not the weather!

Q - Your goal is to return to Haiti to start a business. What are you doing to realize this goal?

A - I have completed my Masters degree, I am learning English skills, and I want to find work in Quebec and save some money so I may return to Haiti to achieve my goal. English is considered one of the standards that the Haitian market requires so I must become a good English speaker.

Q - Do you have support to reach your goal? What is that support?

A - Yes, I have a strong Haitian network in Haiti. There are my colleagues with whom I studied at University in Haiti and my friends that I have known for a long period of time. My contacts can help me find a job and information about credit to start my business.

Q - Tell us a little about your business idea and plan.

A - There is a need for all kinds of businesses in Haiti. For me, based on my academic background, I would like to transform root plants named ‘’vetiver’’ into oil. Haiti is the number one producer of vetiver oil in the entire world.

Q - Do you consider yourself a lifelong learner?

A - Yes I do. I try to learn everything from everywhere and from whomever. I grew up that way. I enjoy learning new things.

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Thank you Pierre-Marcel for your participation in our lifelong learner interviews. We admire your determination and we wish you success in reaching your goals!

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