Family Literacy Night

Why is it important?  The family is at the starting point for the development of language, cultural perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes for their children’s lives.

Student from R.L. Stevens practices his writing and gives a shout out to Cool School at Family Literacy Night!

Consider these statistics noted by the National Center for Family Literacy:

• Children’s reading scores improve dramatically when their parents are involved in helping them learn to read.
• Low family income and lack of education are the two biggest risk factors that hamper a child’s early learning and development.

How we support families is vitally important to supporting student literacy. 

I wanted to share some details from the recent family literacy night I attended at R.L. Stevens Elementary.  Our fabulous mentor teacher, Margo Addison, with the help of the CalSERVES team planned a great night for parents and students. 

I hope it inspires you to plan your own literacy night.

AmeriCorps tutor Sarah Gold makes words fun with students

Melissa Moore catches up with a family by the Book Give-Away

This year's night was entitled:

 Fables, Farms, and Family Fun!

Bienvenidos a Fábulas, Granjas y Diversión para la Familia!

The official program begins with a warm welcome from the principal and is followed by workshops conducted by teachers.

Program/Programa

6:00 – 6:10   Welcome by Mrs. Pola Hoard/Bienvenidos ( Sra. Pola Hoard)

6:15 – 6:40 Workshops with teachers /Talleres con maestros 

 

Workshops/Talleres:

Workshop	Sesiones	Grades	Room
Library Bingo	Lotería Biblioteca	2-6	Library Ms. Grech
Read and Sing!	Lea y Canta!	K-2	Rm. 18 Mrs. Schoellhorn
Reading with your child in Spanish	Leer en espanol con su hijo/a	K-3	RSP Room Ms. Campos
Autumn Finger Plays and Rhymes	Teatro de mano y juegos de rima otonales	K-2	Rm. 4 Ms. Rodebaugh
A Taste of Reading	Un poquito de lectura	2-6	Rm. 15 Ms. Lesset&Hill
Scrabble and Boggle	Juegos con palabras	4-6	Rm. 5 Ms. Valleado
Kids Rule Board Game	Juego de mesa par ninos	3-6	Rm. 3 Ms. Wandel
Songs, Poetry, and Rhythm	Canciones, poesia y ritmo	4-6	Rm. 14 Mrs. Noveh
Rhyming Bingo	Loteria de Rima	K-2	Rm. K1 Ms. Ritch

CalSERVES Counselor Carmen Wandel checks out some bingo after leading a "Kids Rule" activity

Site Supervisor Craig Jacques joins a game of Boggle

After these activities concluded, the group congregates in the cafeteria for more activities, farm fresh produce, and a book give-away.

6:45 – 7:15   Activities in the cafeteria / Actividades en la cafeteria  

1. Flip books /Libros de modismos y homófonos
2. Library Card sign-ups and book information/Tarjetas y información para la biblioteca pública
3. Family Name Poetry/ Poesía con su apellido
4. File Folder Games / Juegos para hacer
5. Word Wheels/Rueda de Palabras
6. Sight Word Bingo/Loteria con vocabulario reconocible

Sean Fitzgerald builds sentences with his students

To go with the theme, the school partnered with farmers to provide fresh fruits and veggies

7:15 – 7:30 Snack and book give away / Bocadillos y libros gratis

The Book Give-Away is a great encouragement for reading

The Carrot suit promotes good health and is lots of fun!

There are lots of great resources and themes for Family Literacy nights online.  Here is a fun one on Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/amr161/literacy-night-ideas/