Family Literacy Archives - Page 2 of 2

3 Summer, Summer, Summer-time ESL Activity Ideas

May 24, 2022 by Kathryn Bauchelle

This is a guest post from Taynim Johnson at Literacy ConneXus.

Hello from Literacy Connexus everyone! We hope that this blog post finds you happy, healthy, and ready for summer.

Summer will be here before we know it (where did the time go?!). Is your program hosting classes this summer? Looking for some fun and interactive activities for summer classes? Today, in honor of summer, I want to share a few of my favorite summer school activities for my ESL classes.

First up, scavenger hunts: With students out and about, enjoying their holidays with their families and friends, why not give them the opportunity to learn a little English at the same time with a fun scavenger hunt!

Fluent U suggests these fantastic language-themed scavenger hunts this summer. For extra fun, consider making it a photo scavenger hunt!

Description hunts: Rather than writing out a list of items for students to find, try writing item descriptions instead. You can write simple descriptions (e.g., This piece of metal holds papers together. = paperclip), write your clues in riddle form (e.g., Inside this box is gold for the taking, but there are no locks or keys to open it. = an egg) or do a combination. The point is that students get some reading comprehension practice when they figure out what you are describing by your clue.
Adjective hunts: If you want to focus on a certain part of speech, like the wonderful adjective, try giving students a simple list of descriptive words rather than nouns to be found. They will then have to find something each adjective could be describing. If you do this version, be sure to include some adjectives students might not already know to increase their vocabularies in the process. Try words such as “spherical,” “musty,” “submerged” or “rustic.”
Vocabulary hunts: A language-twisted scavenger hunt doesn’t have to be complicated. On your list of items to find, simply include some words that are a part of your current vocabulary unit as reinforcement for students.

Next up, field trips! Summer is a time for trips, so why not take a field trip with ESL students this summer? Take a field trip to the zoo, the botanic garden, a restaurant, or a museum and let students practice their English conversation skills, learn new vocabulary related to the place, and build relationships with you and their classmates all at the same time!

Last but not least, summer flashcards. Okay, so maybe you can’t get your entire class out on a field trip. You can have plenty of fun right in your classroom. A fun TPR activity suggested by KoreaBridge.net is summer flashcards.

Create flashcards or write down summer vocabulary on pieces of paper. Have four students each hold up a flashcard at the front of the class, flash and then hide their card. The teacher calls out one of the words and the students have to remember where the word is and line up in front of the student holding that flashcard. In a second round, it’s fun to add an additional challenge and get the students holding the flashcards to change places, and then repeat the activity with the whole class
Korea Bridge

You can extend this activity by having students create sentences with the vocabulary words or using their newly learned summer vocab to have discussions about their summers.

We hope these activities help you create those summer lesson plans!

Literacy for Joy

February 22, 2022 by Kathryn Bauchelle

This coming Saturday (February 26, 2022), close to 100 authors, educators, volunteers, and others dedicated to literacy and learning will gather for the first regional symposium of the year – the South Texas Literacy Symposium.

South Texas usually kicks off our calendar of symposiums, and this year there’s extra delight and anticipation, since the event is back to being in person, and literacy folks from Edinburg, the RGV, and nearby will see each other – some for the first time in a while.

There’s always some added zing to the South Texas symposium, too, because it’s part of FESTIBA – the UTRGV Festival of International Books and Arts. The theme of Festiba in 2022? Inspiring Creativity & Innovation Through Arts and Literacy.

Stop for a moment there. Look at those words in italics. Read them over again.

Inspiring Creativity & Innovation Through Arts and Literacy.

Literacy is many things. It’s the passport to a better life, through further education and a good job. It’s a way to traverse life with confidence and understanding. For some, it’s a pathway to a brighter future beyond incarceration.

But let’s never forget that literacy is also for joy. It’s for inspiration. It’s for creativity. It’s for innovation. It’s for art.

When we sit alongside adult students and their families as they learn, we’re helping bring joy into their lives. Because whatever else it’s for, literacy makes possible a richness in life that can’t be replaced. And not only is that important – it might actually be one of the most important things.

Interested in joining us at the South Texas Literacy Symposium? Registration closes at the end of the day on February 23. Reading this later and missed out? See our full calendar of 2022 symposiums here and maybe catch another later in the year!

South Texas Literacy Coalition Receives 2021 Award

October 20, 2021 by Literacy Texas

The Texas Center for the Book has announced that the South Texas Literacy Coalition is the recipient of the sixth annual Texas Center for the Book Literacy Award. This $2,000 award, which honors a qualified 501(c)(3) organization that has made outstanding contributions to increasing literacy in Texas, is modeled on the Library of Congress’ annual literacy awards. View a video about this year’s winner.

Funded by the Texas Library and Archives Foundation, Inc., the 2021 Literacy Awards also include two honorable mentions, awarded to Inside Books Project and Temple Literacy Council.

“We were delighted to receive nominations from across the state in the sixth year of this Texas award. The purpose of this award is to highlight a winning organization, while promoting a greater appreciation and awareness of literacy efforts statewide,” said Texas Center for the Book Coordinator Rebekah Manley.

The South Texas Literacy Coalition (STLC) is a small but mighty organization recognized throughout the Rio Grande Valley as a literacy champion. Their community literacy events improve the quality of life of families throughout South Texas by focusing on early literacy experiences in a fun and engaging environment. The events consist of several components such as a StoryWalk®, in which they display titles by local children’s authors, games, activities, prizes, a photobooth and the distribution of thousands of new, free books. Along with this, South Texas Literacy Coalition invites local authors and nonprofit organizations to host booths and activities to engage with youth and educate families on the services they provide.

“On behalf of the STLC staff, board of directors and countless volunteers who support literacy efforts in our community, we thank you for this award along with the opportunity to continuing creating literacy environments and spreading resources throughout South Texas,” said Jonathon Vasquez, Executive Director of Operations.

Honorable mention award recipients Inside Books Project, based in Austin, and Temple Literacy Council in Temple will each receive an award of $500 in recognition of their efforts to promote reading and combat illiteracy.

Inside Books Project is an Austin-based community service volunteer organization that sends free books and educational materials to prisoners statewide. Inside Books is the only books-to-prisoners program in Texas, where more than 140,000 people are incarcerated. Inside Books Project works to promote reading, literacy and education among incarcerated individuals and to educate the general public on issues of incarceration.

“We are thrilled and honored to have been selected as an honorable mention by Texas Center for the Book,” said Lucy Blevins, Collective Member, Inside Books Project. “This award will allow us to continue to send books to our writers behind bars during this impossibly difficult year.”

The mission of the Temple Literacy Council is to empower adults needing assistance with basic reading and writing and/or help with English as a Second Language. This award will allow the organization to purchase additional materials for its students and tutors and support its Books for Lunch program, which provides local authors an opportunity to present books they have written to the general public.

“This award will allow us to better serve our students, instructors and community,” said Temple Literacy Council Executive Director Don Stiles.

The nomination period for the annual Texas Center for the Book Literacy Award is June 1 – September 1. This award is made possible by the Texas Library and Archives Foundation, Inc. and was inspired by the Library of Congress Literacy Awards. The winner will receive the Texas Center for the Book’s nomination for the 2021 Library of Congress State Literacy Award.

Established in 1987, the Texas Center for the Book seeks to stimulate public interest in books, reading, literacy and libraries. The Center builds partnerships with library professionals, educators, authors, publishers and booksellers who provide support to our shared mission of promoting a love of literature throughout the Lone Star State. The Texas Center for the Book is under the direction of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission at the Lorenzo De Zavala State Archives and Library Building in Austin, Texas.

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The Texas State Library and Archives Commission provides Texans access to the information they need to be informed, productive citizens by preserving the archival record of Texas; enhancing the service capacity of public, academic and school libraries; assisting public agencies in the maintenance of their records; and meeting the reading needs of Texans with disabilities. For more information, visit tsl.texas.gov.

Don’t forget the families!

September 19, 2021 by Kathryn Bauchelle

Every year, a week is set aside for special focus on adult education. We celebrate the excellent work that continues around the nation – even in the second year of a global pandemic – and the successes that are possible due to all that work. And those successes are many!

In many states, including Texas, adult education is linked firmly to employment: The Texas Workforce Commission funds Adult Education & Literacy programs across the state, with the goal of helping adults get the skills they need to be successful in the workplace, earn a high school equivalency, or enter college or career training.

Because of that link between education and the workforce, many of the success we’ll be celebrating during this week focus on the workplace. And why not? After all, adults who increase their literacy earn higher pay, get promoted more often, and have better job security. Furthermore, they report raised confidence and self-esteem, and are more likely to develop leadership skills. All of this results in more teamwork, quicker adoption of new technologies, and an overall higher degree of productivity.

All these things are excellent. They’re worth celebrating, right? Yes, absolutely.

But there’s another half to this week we’re celebrating. It’s not just Adult Education Week, it’s also Family Literacy Week. And in our eagerness to celebrate education success, sometimes families can be overlooked. Let’s not forget the families!

All the education and workplace success in the world loses momentum quickly if the next generation is lagging in school or not developing a love of reading and of learning. Teachers do an amazing job, but they can only do so much – the single biggest indicator of a child’s literacy level is the literacy level of their primary caregiver, usually their mom, sometimes dad, and sometimes a grandparent or other adult carer.

For those caregivers to invest quality time in their kids and their families, they need not only skills, they also need resources; they need books; they need ideas – and they need time (time when they’re not exhausted). Time to be creative, to be curious, and to simply have fun with reading and with learning.

So this Adult Education and Family Literacy Week (September 19 – September 25, 2021), let’s make sure not to forget the families. And in our advocacy and messaging this week, let’s highlight the value to our society in helping caregivers prioritize reading and learning with their kids.

Happy AEFL Week!

Can we stay in touch? There’s so much to do. And our efforts will be richer and more effective if you’re part of them.

Add your voice to our socials:

Sources for information in blog post:

Literacy, Employment and Youth with Learning Disabilities: Aligning Workforce Development Policies and Programs, National Institute for Literacy, 2010

Adult Literacy Facts, ProLiteracy

National Literacy Month 2021

August 29, 2021 by Kathryn Bauchelle

Literacy transforms Texas.

How often have you seen “the literacy problem” framed in terms of doom and gloom? Lost wages, lost opportunities, lost tax dollars, lost hope. It’s true that low literacy damages lives and potential in countless ways. But why not look at it through a different lens?

Helping an adult increase their literacy, even modestly, can have a positive ripple effect through their life, the lives of their children and family members, and on out into society. An adult who can read fluently and well is more confident. They’re more likely to understand forms, paperwork, and medication labels. They’re able to get a job more easily, move up in that job, and need less financial aid.

An adult in a parenting role – whether a parent, a grandparent, or another adult important in a child’s life – who can speak English fluently and read well is more likely to be involved in that child’s education. They can read the notes sent home from school and participate confidently at parent-teacher nights. They make reading aloud a regular practice and children grow up with a love for books, curious minds, and valuing education.

And raising literacy scores is a dynamic cash injection for the economy. By some counts, the impact could be as much as $2 trillion every single year.

So, during September – National Literacy Month – let’s celebrate the power of literacy. It can transform lives, whole communities, and this nation. And then let’s continue our work.

Opportunities for you to make a difference this month:

Find a program local to you and get involved as a volunteer or in other ways.
Amplify the literacy message on International Literacy Day, September 8.
Celebrate Welcoming Week, September 10 – September 19, and help our newest neighbors feel at home.
Advocate for literacy issues during Adult Education & Family Literacy Week, September 19 – September 25.
Learn about the importance of a local focus at a special webinar, A Blueprint for Literacy Action, on September 23.

And of course literacy work never stops – even after September ends, there are ways to stay involved:

Tell your colleagues in the Dallas-Fort Worth area about the latest Literacy Texas Regional Literacy Symposium, coming up on October 8.
Prepare to learn at the National Families Learning Conference online, October 25 – October 27.

Literacy transforms Texas. And you’re part of that transformation. Thank you for your efforts!

Can we stay in touch? There’s so much to do. And our efforts will be richer and more effective if you’re part of them.

Add your voice to our socials on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Sources for information in blog post:

Low Literacy Levels Among U.S. Adults Could Be Costing The Economy $2.2 Trillion A Year, Forbes, September 9, 2020

Fast Facts on Adult Literacy, National Center for Education Statistics

Understanding Immigration and Refugees

July 15, 2021 by Literacy Texas

On the homepage of Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, it reads: “The monumental triumph of escaping abusive environments often demands everything from survivors.” While this is not the story of every immigrant or refugee entering the United States, HRI was founded to help the tens of thousands of people for whom it is true.

With so much misinformation about immigrants and the immigration system, it’s natural and convenient to paint this entire community with the same brush. As educators and advocates, we must fight to avoid this trap. Here are a few ways.

1) Know the different types of immigrants

These are just a few of the different types of immigration status, according to the State Justice Institute: Naturalized citizens, conditional permanent resident, special immigrant juvenile, VAWA self-petitioner, refugee or asylum seeker, and crime victim or witness.

Each status has unique challenges and will need different types of support. Some people will just need a helping hand. Others will need financial and material support for their families. Others will need intensive healing from the pain and trauma of fleeing a dangerous situation.

2) Know where immigrants are coming from

While 25% come from Mexico, it might surprise you that 28% of all USA immigrants actually come from various regions of Asia. Of course, other regions make up significant shares. According to Pew Research, it breaks down like this: Europe, Canada and other North America (13%), the Caribbean (10%), Central America (8%), South America (7%), the Middle East and North Africa (4%), and sub-Saharan Africa (5%).

3) Know their intelligence and challenges

Since 1970, a higher percentage of US immigrants have earned college degrees than native-born Americans. It’s very important to let this information lead to curiosity, not conclusions. There are so few things true of “most” immigrants, and even less that is true of “all” immigrants.

If you were born and raised in a small town in South Carolina, New York City might feel like another country. Think of all the cultural differences: new colloquialisms, the pace of foot traffic, less personal space, fewer pleasantries in conversation. Even with a mastery of English, we struggle to navigate the legal system, leasing documents, the DMV, slick car salesmen, and the dozens of other tasks immigrants must complete just to settle in and start building a life for themselves and their families.

As educators and literacy advocates, we must do the extra work it takes to meet our students where they are. English language learners and their families take many different paths to find their homes in the United States. What do we need to know about each student’s journey to help them move forward?

From August 2-4, Kali Cohn, the Director of Advocacy for HRI, will be leading sessions on “ Understanding Immigration and Refugees” as part of the 2021 Literacy Texas Annual Conference. She’ll break down the basics of how the immigration system works, where refugees and asylum seekers fit in, and what to do if your student needs support navigating the immigration system.

Visit https://www.literacytexas.org/calendar/2021-literacy-texas-annual-conference/ to register and learn about the other speakers and sessions offered at this extraordinary event.

Family Ties to Literacy

May 23, 2021 by Literacy Texas

Who was your first teacher? For most of us, it was our parents or caregivers.

Who was your favorite teacher? For most of us, it was someone who shared their passion in a way that we not only understood, but connected with us.

Someone who had resources, training, and experience that many parents don’t. We know that in Texas alone, 90,000 citizens lack basic literacy and therefore the skills they need to encourage literacy in their families.

Albert Einstein (we believe) once said that “If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, you don’t understand it yourself.” As we educate parents, aunts, uncles, and other caregivers who are part of family units, they are in turn passing on what they’ve learned. Since we’re teaching teachers, why not get the whole family involved?

While reading is fundamental, literacy turns this skill into a tool we can use to build the life, career, and relationships that we desire. When used correctly, this tool not only has a ripple effect on those around us, but also on the generations to come. As an educator, and especially as a parent, we are preparing our students and children to be better citizens, access more economic opportunities, achieve upward mobility, and have a greater impact socially. They, in turn, do the same for their children.

Family literacy programs take that even further, providing specific and specialized knowledge. What kinds of foods make up a balanced diet and healthier bodies? Which activities do bodies need to remain healthy? What choices do we have when dealing with sickness or injuries? What’s the best way to pay for that health care?

Learning basic literacy may help answer these questions, but it’s not guaranteed. Adult learners need literacy programs designed with this in mind. Engaging the entire family in literacy activities can help educate and motivate adult learners to create a culture of literacy at home.

This holistic, family-centered approach is based on the simple reality we began with: the parent is the child’s first teacher. Helping them be the best teacher that they can be helps them advocate for their child academically, emotionally, and in other ways they need to succeed.

What better motivation could a parent or caregiver ask for?

On August 2-4, speaker Dr. Ida Acuña-Garza dives deeper into this subject in “Family Ties to Literacy”. This session is part of the 2021 Literacy Texas Annual Conference, which explores the interconnected issues of adult literacy, early childhood education, and immigration. Her session will discuss strategies for engaging the whole family in literacy and try out some hands-on activities. You’ll walk out with a Family Literacy Festival Planning Guide and greater confidence to pull off a family literacy event that’s fun, engaging, and successful.