A B C ‘s of Family Literacy

1. A B C ‘sof Family Literacy

2. Definition of Family • Two or more people (i.e., parents, grandparents, caregivers, siblings, and extended family) who share a common lineage • They share common goals and values, have commitments to one another and reside, usually, in the same dwelling.

3. Definition of Literacy Literacy is reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing.

4. Definition of Family Literacy Family Literacy involves all parental figures and can be categorized into two approaches: an individual approach that focuses on the separate literacy education of parents and children and a collaborative approach that works by collectively educating families about literacy practices through group activities and seminars.

5. Theory • Why is Family literacy important specifically for ELL’s? • Studies of parents’ involvement in their children’s early literacy development have indicated that early reading experiences can better prepare children for formal literacy instruction and establish a foundation for later reading success; (Ortiz & Ordonez-Jasis, 2005)

6. A B C ‘sof Family Literacy

7. A Ask for background information from both parents before beginning Family surveys, individual interviews, focal groups,

8. B *Book Baggies *Book Orders *Book Exchange

9. C Consider parents with specific needs For example: • Translators for workshop • Translated invitations & posters • List Serv announcements • Child Care

10. D • Dads generally tend to be less involved in all of their children’s school activities. • Diversify reading materials. Activities & Books should match father’s reading abilities & interests

11. E • Educators should model for parents how to teach important early literacy skills. • Educators encourage extended family to attend workshops to engage in home literacy activities. • Educators need to learn about their student’s language, interactional styles, and values.

12. F Food • Many educators have developed programs that involve food that bridge parents, cultures, and school & in turn help develop better cultural understanding and increased communication between parents, teachers, and also among families. • Work Shops / Pot Luck activities • Books & Breakfast • Snacks & Stories • Dinners & Discoveries

13. G • Giving parents empowerment through the use of literacy knowledge and resources. • “Parent networks are established wherein they discuss ways to improve their child’s school”

14. H Home school connections 1. Journals - keeping communication with parents through a journal 2. Newsletters - Keeping parents informed of class assignments 3. School Loop - Website can be accessed from any computer

15. I • Integrate - literacy into all areas of the curriculum. • Invite - parents as experts into the classroom in a non-threatening way. • Incorporate - parents as experts of their culture.

16. J • Joining hands in education • Joyous occasion

17. K Know your student’s strength, weaknesses, and interests to better plan curriculum & academic goals.

18. L Library Cards • Make school libraries & classroom libraries accessible to children, parents, and caregivers and give parents instruction on how to use the libraries and the basics of reading aloud. • Library Application - class field trip to local library.

19. M Multicultural Literature • Tap into family background knowledge and experiences by using literature that represents their culture authentically and accurately. • The more a reader’s personal experiences match the experiences reflected in the text, the greater comprehension for the reader

20. N Non-School Setting Teachers use visiting community churches, talking to community leaders, making home visits - This allows teachers not only to learn about non-mainstream communities, but also to tap the communities rich resources to incorporate in their classes. (Opitz pg. 59)

21. O Open Door Policy

22. P Partnership and Participation with community to understand other cultures.

23. Q • We have a language rich environment, Therefore it is not always QUIET!

24. R Retention of Family This should not be a one time event. The objective of family literacy is to keep families coming back for participation.

25. S Student Appeal!!! Students should be excited to participate. Activities should engage the student’s interests

26. T .Trust Teachers need to build a mutual trust between themselves and their students. Educators who build trust have been able to develop a level of confidence and belief so that their students feel what they do in the classroom is worth while.

27. U Use Effective Questioning Techniques Levels of BLOOMS Taxonomy Higher-order questions suggest to students that they possess the knowledge, values, and characteristics that will allow them to be successful as a learner.

28. V Visuals 1. Pictorial Imput Charts 2. Graphic Organizers 3. Thinking Maps 4. Pictures 5. Realia

29. W Welcoming and Supportive Climate

30. X eXtra, eXtra, eXtra There are extra learning opportunities available through family literacy

31. Y Yes!!!! You too can have a Family Literacy Night!!!!

32. Z We are finally finished, hope you’re not sleeping, zzzzzzzz.

33. A Final thought We need to reach out to each other, to recognize and accord value to each others cultures. We need a basic ingredient - the ability to respond to each other in the teaching and learning enterprise.(p. 62 Opitz)