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Family literacy makes its mark on the calendar
By Mike Martin |
February 29, 2012, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SINCE when did celebrating literacy become an event? Along with other educators, I have watched reading and writing practices evolve rather quickly over the past quarter of a century. The emergence of digital media has reshaped the way we teach and the way students gain access to information, elevating literacy to a position of strategic importance. However, the question remains, should literacy be an event?
Any doubt that literacy was important was dispelled on January 13, at the third annual SAS Pudong Elementary Family Literacy Event. It seemed as though every nook and cranny had been filled with beanbags and cushions, and then covered with a collection of books begging to be read aloud.
Christal Nicholai, a Grade 1 teacher, commented how good it was to see parents cuddled up with their kids reading a book. "Literacy is important," she said. "It's not just kids coming to school to learn to read and write, but parents being involved as partners in their child's education."
Kathy Nutting, a Pudong elementary academic support teacher, agreed: "It is one of the few times that we have a glimpse into the personal time between parents and their children. It's an honor."
Barbara Boyer, the chief organizer of the event and the Pudong elementary librarian, described this event as "an opportunity to put aside life's demands and make life memories through the many forms of reading and writing. It's a chance to bring everyone together."
Literacy should be a family event scheduled on calendars at home every day of the week. Start with these steps:
Step1: Designate a regular time slot to create routine;
Step 2: Create a comfortable space;
Step 3: Ensure no distractions;
Step 4: Talk about what is read.
Parents can show a child reading is important by reading themselves.
(Mike Martin a Grade 5 teacher at Shanghai American School's Pudong campus.)
Gabby Burke's top 10 reading list (Ages 4-12) The Mitten Jan Brett Make Way For Ducklings Robert McCloskey David Goes to School David Shannon Jumanji Chris Van Allsburg Superfudge Judy Blume Number the Stars Lois Lowry Rules Cynthia Lord The Invention of Hugo Cabret Brian Selznick Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone J.K. Rowling The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien
Any doubt that literacy was important was dispelled on January 13, at the third annual SAS Pudong Elementary Family Literacy Event. It seemed as though every nook and cranny had been filled with beanbags and cushions, and then covered with a collection of books begging to be read aloud.
Christal Nicholai, a Grade 1 teacher, commented how good it was to see parents cuddled up with their kids reading a book. "Literacy is important," she said. "It's not just kids coming to school to learn to read and write, but parents being involved as partners in their child's education."
Kathy Nutting, a Pudong elementary academic support teacher, agreed: "It is one of the few times that we have a glimpse into the personal time between parents and their children. It's an honor."
Barbara Boyer, the chief organizer of the event and the Pudong elementary librarian, described this event as "an opportunity to put aside life's demands and make life memories through the many forms of reading and writing. It's a chance to bring everyone together."
Literacy should be a family event scheduled on calendars at home every day of the week. Start with these steps:
Step1: Designate a regular time slot to create routine;
Step 2: Create a comfortable space;
Step 3: Ensure no distractions;
Step 4: Talk about what is read.
Parents can show a child reading is important by reading themselves.
(Mike Martin a Grade 5 teacher at Shanghai American School's Pudong campus.)
Gabby Burke's top 10 reading list (Ages 4-12) The Mitten Jan Brett Make Way For Ducklings Robert McCloskey David Goes to School David Shannon Jumanji Chris Van Allsburg Superfudge Judy Blume Number the Stars Lois Lowry Rules Cynthia Lord The Invention of Hugo Cabret Brian Selznick Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone J.K. Rowling The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien
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