This Week in Literacy
Friday, July 11, 2008
In this E-News
Community Events and Information
Literacy Dates for Next Year
International Literacy Day September 8, 2008
NWT Literacy Week September 29 – October 3, 2008
National Family Literacy Day January 27, 2009
Aboriginal Languages Month March 2009
International Children's Book Day April 2, 2009
World Book Day April 23, 2009
Launch of a Workplace Call for Proposals
On June 30, 2008 the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills (OLES) put a call out for project proposals that address one of three objectives: first, to help individuals enter the workforce by improving their literacy and essential skills; second, to help individuals in the workplace maintain their jobs by improving their literacy and essential skills, and; third, to help individuals enhance their mobility in the workplace by improving their literacy and essential skills. Copies of the CFP application kit can be accessed on the OLES website (www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/workplaceskills/oles/olesindex_en.shtml). Please note that a section on frequently asked questions to help guide potential applicants will be added soon. Deadline for submissions is September 15, 2008.
Frontier College's SCRABBLE® Challenge
Play SCRABBLE® this summer – raise money for literacy. There are two ways to raise money for literacy:
- 1. Organize a SCRABBLE® game with friends and family to play in your home, at the cottage or on vacation.
- 2. Enter a corporate team to compete - watch for date in 2009.
To learn more about this challenge go to http://www.scrabblenightincanada.ca/en/index.php
In the News
Press Release: On-line Literacy Forum Archives Mark CMEC Literacy Push
Toronto, July 4, 2008 – The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) today launches its Literacy Forum archives, a diverse collection of webcast stories, experiences, and expertise on literacy. Ministers of education from across Canada, under B.C.’s leadership, have united in their commitment to help the many Canadians who struggle with literacy skills every day.
Over the coming months, this site will grow to include more experiences and resources that were featured during the forum. Each of the participating sites focused its presentation on a key aspect of the literacy challenge: Aboriginal literacy, lifelong literacy, literacy and the workforce, building literacy in communities, and the economic benefits of literacy. Check out the website at http://www.literacy.cmec.ca
Literacy Champions Named Officers of the Order of Canada
3 July, 2008
ABC CANADA is proud to congratulate literacy champions Peter Mansbridge and the Honourable Frank McKenna on being named Officers of the Order of Canada.
Mr. Mansbridge was honoured for his contributions to broadcasting, for his commitment to helping Canadians better understand their country and the world, and for his dedication to literacy and Canada’s youth. Mr. McKenna was recognized for his contributions to public service, and as a business and community leader who has had an important and lasting influence on the economic revitalization of New Brunswick, as well as the growth of businesses across Canada.
Resources and Websites
Summer Reading: Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales
An integrated family literacy curriculum, that focuses on: Adult Education, Parent Education, parent and Child Together (PACT) and Early Childhood Education with a summer time theme.
http://www.pafamilyliteracy.org/pafamilyliteracy/lib/
pafamilyliteracy/Integrated_Plans_SRP_2006-2007.pdf
Pencil and Paper Games
A 6 page printable booklet of pencil games for children. Great for travelling in the car or going camping!
http://printables.familyeducation.com/tv/printables/
SOP/PencilPaperBooksm.pdf
Focus on Basics: Connecting Research & Practice Online Magazine
Volume 9, Issue A, May 2008
http://www.ncsall.net/fileadmin/resources/fob/2008/fob_9a.pdf
Promoting Equity and Dignity for Aboriginal Children in Canada
In this study, Jessica Ball addresses in considerable depth the health, socio-economic and other conditions of Aboriginal children in Canada. Based on an extensive review of the literature, she demonstrates that many Aboriginal children live in poverty and face unacceptably high health and development challenges. Their situation is compounded by other factors, including the impact on parenting abilities of time spent in Aboriginal residential schools. Drawing on research from other countries, Ball reviews the benefits of early childhood programs. In this regard, she focuses on the Aboriginal Head Start programs, which the Canadian federal government began to fund in the mid-1990s. Ball reports some encouraging preliminary findings about the impacts of these programs and recommends that they be expanded to enable access for a minimum of 25 percent of Aboriginal children. She presents several further policy recommendations for measures intended to enhance the life chances of Aboriginal children while protecting their cultural heritage. To download go to:
http://action.web.ca/home/crru/rsrcs_crru_full.shtml?x=
119220&AA_EX_Session=3445216ae609b58add23fd4055b8b189
Resource for Identification and Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disability
The document provides background information about the characteristics associated with specific learning disabilities. It suggests methods for informal and formal assessment of these students. It presents guidelines for the development of special education plans. And it recommends ways to get parents involved. To download go to
http://www.nald.ca/library/learning/ritssld/ritssld/ritssld.pdf
Resource for Identification and Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disability: High School Program
http://www.nald.ca/library/learning/ritssld/hschool/hschool.pdf
Written Off
Check out the reality show called Written Off. It is about adults who have struggled all their life with reading and writing. They embark on a journey together to face their fears and change their lives. You can view this show at http://www.literacy.ie/index.cfm/section/page/ext/Videos
Lisa Campbell
Resource and Information Sharing Coordinator
NWT Literacy Council
Box 761
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2N6
Toll Free: 1-866-599-6758
Phone: (867) 873-9262
Fax : (867) 873-2176
E-mail: lisa@nwtliteracy.ca
Web Site: www.nwt.literacy.ca
The NWT Literacy Council is a non-profit, non-government agency dedicated to supporting the development of literacy in all official languages of the NWT.
NWT LITERACY COUNCIL
