Thread: Family Literacy?

Originally Posted by Kim/K/SCal

I want to start something small, like in my classroom and then use my parents as little seeds to spread the ideas to parents of other classrooms. I am most interested in Alma Flor Ida's concept of "family books."

Errr ... given the description of your demographics, I'm not sure your plan will work. People who enjoy reading tend to have better educational backgrounds - but you've described a population that includes migrant workers and generational poverty. These are not people who typically read a lot - and the migrant parents would have the added problem of perhaps not being fluent in English.

I applaud your idea. I don't mean to be a stick in the mud but I'm not sure if your idea is practical.

David

One thing I have tried to involve parents in reading is to dedicate the first 20 minutes of the morning for reading time and to invite parents to join us. Parents can either sign up or just drop in on the mornings they are available. Each parent listens to a few children read. It provides extra reading practice for the kids, frees me up to do guided reading lessons, and involves parents in reading with a variety of kids in a non-threatening environment. My own children's school do this as a school-wide activity in the morning and it seems to be quite successful.

Just a thought.

Catherine

Kim, I'd also like to try something like this! I don't live in such a rural community but I do have a highly un-involved parent population (which is becoming the norm in many schools I hear).

You never know till you try, so as you suggested try it in your classroom first to see how it goes. Then you'll know if you're able to spread it to a wider population.

Good luck!

- Wendy

This is similar to an idea that I had to get my secondary students reading skill to improve. The problem I faced was "how do I get them involved?" I would love to somehow answer this question. I think the only way to keep students involved is to get their parents involved too. Have you been able to get anything going with this?

The idea that Catherine has suggested is being used in the school where I tutor my little "Gayle". Every Friday morning the hall is lined with parents sitting on primary chairs. The teachers circulate the students so that each parent gets a child. When that child finishes reading to book, another takes his/her place. Of course, one would need administrative permission to try this but it appears that it can do no harm. Even if you started with your involved parents, some of the children may ask their parents to join in.

I think you have it especially difficult because it's possible that many of your migrant people don't have enought literacy skills to feel comfortable. On the other hand, their own skills may be helped throught this involvement.

Never say, "It can't be done," but I know the struggles you face and I applaud you for trying to take the lead.

By the way, hie on over to the Elementary board David has been influential in getting set up here. It may be a case of "use it or lose it."

One school in our district does Breakfast and books before school. A local business donates the donuts or money for the food and everyone sits and eats and reads.

Another idea is send home books that kids can keep. I once had a little girl who moved A LOT. At every school she went to she left with one of their library books. I started giving her some of my classroom library books because she had no books at home. Try class made books and teacher made books copied off for each student, so that when that child leaves your school, they have books (even if they are made of paper) to take with them. We have a teacher here who has made her own books based on themes that the kids take home and read - the parent signs a form on the back and the child brings it back. It is part of their grade.

I used to send home a "cuddle ticket" asking parents to cuddle and read with someone who loves them if the parent did not read with their child the night before (I started my day asking every child what they read the night before and with who)

Last but not least - Kim I really appreciate your input and feel you have great ideas. You are selling yourself short if you think you "come off" as a rabble-rouser.