growing readers through family literacy
DESCRIPTION
Shay Kraley, Family Literacy Director Colleen Alles, Family Literacy CoordinatorTRANSCRIPT
Growing Readers through Family Literacy
Colleen Alles & Shay Kraley
Literacy Center of West Michigan
Colleen Alles,Head Start for Kent County partnerships
Shay Kraley, Grand Rapids Public Schools & Godwin Heights partnerships
Adult Tutoring
Family Literacy
Community Literacy Initiative
Customized Workplace English
Iglesias de Esperanza
One-on-one tutoring for adults in language skills. Occurs weekly at local libraries.
Partnerships with Head Start and schools.
Coalition uniting agencies to improve literacy for all ages.
Group classes and business services for adults in language and employability.
Language instruction to Spanish-speaking churches and clergy.
The Impact of Adult Low Literacy
Thinking globally
*Statistics collated by Project Read
The Impact of Adult Low Literacy Thinking nationally
The Impact of Adult Low Literacy
Thinking locally:
21% of adults in Grand Rapids are low literate.
14% of adults in Kent County are low literate.
The Impact on the Family• According to the NCFL, low family income
and a mother’s lack of education are the two biggest risk factors that hamper a child’s early learning and development.
The Impact on the Family• If a third-grader is not reading at grade-
level by the end of third grade, they are at risk of:• Remaining poor readers through high school• Having low self-esteem and lack of motivation
to learn• Dropping out of high school• Not attending college
Limited education and low literacy are intergenerational cycles that are
very difficult to break.
*Community Literacy Initiative: Literacy Report: Part 1: Third Grade Reading
Parental Engagement is Crucial• When parents are involved, students have:• Higher grades, test scores, graduation rates• Better school attendance• Increased motivation• Better self-esteem• Lower rates of suspension• Decreased use of drugs and alcohol• Fewer instances of violent behavior
*National Parent Teacher Association
Parent Educatio
n
Parent Time
Children’s
Education
Parent and
Child Together (PACT)
National Center for Family Literacy
LCWM’s Family Literacy ProgramsPartnership
with GRPS/GHPS
Partnership with
Head StartParent
Education
Parent Time
Children’s
Education
Parent and
Child Together (PACT)
Weekly ELL classes at child’s school
Weekly tutoring in libraries
Time within the Family Nights
Provided by Head Start teachers
Monthly Family Nights
1 hour/week within the ELL classroom
Provided by classroom teachers
Monthly Family Nights
LCWM’s Family Literacy ProgramsFamily Literacy – Head
Start
2011-12 Achievements• 90% of all adult learners
made language gains, 100% of all children made literacy gains, and 70% of parents increased involvement with HS.
• 100% of parents are more involved in pre-literacy activities with their children.
Family Literacy – GRPS/GHPS
2011-12 Achievements• 79% of all adult learners
made language gains, 61% of all children met reading growth targets, and 53% of parents increased involvement with schools.
• 78% of parents are more involved in literacy activities with their children.
Incorporating Family Literacy in Your Work Build relationships with parents Hold recurring family events Build a family literacy-rich environment Offer Parent Time Provide book giveaways Create family newsletters w/ hands-on family
literacy activities
Identifying Low Literate Parents Gives excuses for not reading:
“I forgot my glasses” “I don’t have time to read that right now”
Takes a long time or appears confused when given something to sign or read.
Becomes agitated or anxious when given something to sign or read.
Asks to take materials home to read or fill out. Depends on others for reading and writing. Avoids situations which require reading. Misses appointments or gets dates and times
mixed up.
Working with Low Literate Parents In printed material:
Use larger, simpler font Simplify your language Use bullet points Highlight important points
Provide support: Reminder calls Resources
Remove personal bias
Growing Readers in Low Literate Homes Teach parents how to:
Share books with their children Create literacy-rich home environments Model literate behaviors and incorporate literacy
into daily routines Access free family resources in the community Have conversations with their children Learn about different types of children’s books
to use
What is one thing your agency can do to support
family literacy?
Questions?Colleen Alles,459-5151, ext. [email protected]
Shay Kraley, 459-5151, ext. [email protected]