Family Literacy Resources
This collection of resources will help you plan a Family Literacy Event -- such as a "Family Reading Night" or a celebration of El Día de los niños/El Día de los libros (on April 30th). We will be adding to the page as we develop new printables, etc.
Note about the history of "Día": Día del niño, or the Day of the Child, has been an annual celebration throughout Mexico since 1925. Author Pat Mora, a Texas native, heard about this tradition in 1996 and proposed an adaptation of this celebration to focus on literacy as well has honoring children.
Print Resources (available from SWILSA):
"Noisy Stories: Family Storytime" from the February 2004 issue of Library Sparks magazine offers a plan for a fun, interactive storyhour for all ages. Books recommended are Horace and Morris Join the Chorus by James Howe; My Truck Is Stuck! by Keven Lewis and Daniel Kirk; Old MacDonald Had a Woodshop by Lisa Shulman; Bark, George by Jules Feiffer; and It Could Always Be Worse by Margot Zemach.
Online Resources:
Ideas for
Celebrating "Día"
Sigan Adelante Workshop Templates
Family
Fun Night Programs from the Pennsylvania Center for the Book
Family literacy ideas from the
Cooperative Summer Library Program
Themes for Family Literacy Programs:
 |
“Pajama Party” – Invite everyone to wear p.j.’s (or sweats) and bring blankets for family reading. |
| “El día de los niños/El día de los libros” – Celebrated on April 30th. See http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/initiatives/diadelosninos/index.cfm |
|
“So much to see. So much to do. @ your library” – Use this popular theme to emphasize the idea that the library has a lot to offer. SWILSA can provide lettering for bulletin boards or posters (see the example at http://www.swilsa.lib.ia.us/youth.htm -- we can do any color scheme!). |
Activities:
Printables:
Sample flyers to advertise a Family Reading Night (edit to fit your event!)
Family Night Flyer
1
Family Night Flyer 2
Bookmarks
Family Literacy Tips for
Parents
Bookmarks of the 6 Literacy Skills are posted on the Early
Childhood
Literacy website at
http://www.ilsa.lib.ia.us/ECL/awareness.htm.
Table Tents
You might also print and display table tents from the Early
Childhood
Literacy site at
http://www.ilsa.lib.ia.us/ECL/awareness.htm.
Articles from Reading Rockets to print out for parents & caregivers. These fit well with the 6 Early Literacy Skills!
Miscellaneous:
Provide brochures about classes for English Language Learners (ESL). [Contact your nearest Community College.]
Invite a local educator to speak about the importance of summer reading, etc.
And don't forget treats!