By Wendy Lamond
Family Literacy Day takes place every January 27 to raise awareness about the importance of reading. Since 1999, schools, libraries, literacy organizations and other groups across Canada have taken part in this initiative. Reading and learning activities with children is crucial to their development and can help parents' skills as well. Not to mention how great a bonding experience it is for a family to share. In our community schools, a few events took place to recognize the importance of this program.
At Holy Name Mrs. Cousins Grade 2/3 class completed a 'Get Caught Reading' competition for the month of January. The objective of the challenge is to encourage young readers to explore new books, exciting stories and the joy of reading. Parents were encouraged to catch their child reading, sometimes in unexpected or unique places. 'Linc' from the St. Marys Lincoln Hockey team was also caught reading across St. Marys! On Monday, January 27 the Lincoln's players came to visit classrooms and read books to the students.
Little Falls hosted their literacy day at the school on Thursday, January 30. The event got under way at 12:00 p.m. and ran for about 90 minutes. Students were split into groups and got to visit three classrooms. Each room had a different book, activity, craft and theme. The day was also book Character Day so there were many creative costumes. Guest readers included members of the Lincolns hockey club, Fire Chief Richard “Andy” Anderson and members of the school board. One book that stood out for me as I was making the rounds was one called the Invisible Boy. The book encourages kids to think of people’s feelings and to make sure everyone feels included. Lauren Mclean, who was reading the book, finished it up with handing out some mirrors to the kids and asking them to look in them and find something they like about themselves. The idea was originated by teacher Jennifer McManus as a good lesson for the variety of ages that were there. McManus shared that it was a good book because it focuses on both mental health and social emotional learning which are two huge areas that AMDSB is focusing on.
South Perth Centennial School also took part on Monday, January 27 by having a book character dress up day and having literacy activities in all classrooms.
There are so many positive results that are seen when kids, teachers and families participate in literacy activities like what went on at all three schools. It is empowering, gives a right to education and sets up future opportunities by raising confidence and self-esteem.
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