An Introduction to

Family LiteracyThomas G. Jackson, Jr. Towson University Graduate Reading Program

Professional Development in Reading – Fall 2010

The National Center for Family Literacy

“Literacy is at the root of a person’s ability to succeed, and the family is at the heart” (NCFL, 2010).

“[S]tudy after study shows that family, home and community are the true drivers of a child’s education” (NCFL, 2010).

Pre-Assessment

Use the yes-no pinch cards to answer the following questions (Pitcher & Mackey, 2004):

• Did someone read to you as a child?• Did your parents attend school activities on a regular basis?• Did your parents take you to the library?• Were literacy activities, such as making cards and cooking with

recipes, done in your home?• Are you a parent?• Did you read to your children and take them to the library?• Does anyone have grandchildren? Are your children reading to their

children and taking them to the library? (p. 53)

What is Family Literacy?

Family literacy can be defined a couple of different ways:

• Parents and children participate in literacy activities together.

• Family literacy implies a customized curriculum for parents on how to improve literacy in the lives of their children. (Paratore, 2005)

What does family literacy look like?

Studies show that family activities can include literacy interactions such as reading, writing, and discussions which naturally support literacy learning among their children. (Taylor, 1983)

“Family literacy programs are based on the view that improving the parenting and basic literacy skills of adults will foster learning and literacy among their children” (Neuman, Caperelli, & Kee, 1998, p. 244).

Discussion

This video is from Even Start Family Literacy Program in Florida. As you watch, think about these questions:

• Where does family literacy take place?• What types of activities are involved in family

literacy?

Family LiteracyVideo

Parent Involvement

In your small groups, take five minutes to discuss ways that you have involved parents and other family members in literacy activities in the past.

Choose one person to share ideas with the entire group. We will add these ideas to the following slide.

Family Literacy Ideas

Summer reading packets with directions for parents. Sight vocabulary flash cards. Sent books home to be signed. Journal writing about a book. “Read to Me – Talk to Me” activities with parents and students at

home. Book of the month – go home to each students in the classroom, write

a story based on the book. RW – Read a story in class, read at home with mom, parent guides

the reading with questions verbally, parent signs. Questions reinforced at school before moving on.

Send home description of reading strategies.

The Great Poetry Race

Developed by Sharon M. Pitcher, Ed. D – Towson University “Reading familiar material over and over again promotes

fluency” (Pitcher & Mackey, 2004, p. 50). A poem is chosen by the student or teacher. Students read the poem to as many people as they possible

can. Those who listen to the oral reading sign a form. These forms

can be customized. Prizes may be offered for the student with the most signatures. Gets family members involved, and does not impact the literacy

level of other family members. (Pitcher & Mackey, 2004)

Family Tic Tac Toe and Bingo

Literacy activities are completed in a row to get bingo or tic tac toe.

Cards can be customized by grade level, or for special occasions.

Completed cards may become a raffle ticket for a prize.

See the example in your handout. (Pitcher & Mackey, 2004)

Minute Reflection

Take a moment to complete the minute reflection:

• What is one way you may incorporate a family literacy activity into your own classroom? (yellow sticky)

• What questions do you have about family literacy so far? (red sticky)

Other Family Literacy Ideas

Keeping Score – parents record check marks for correct words read, write down words that child misses. (Pitcher & Mackey, 2004)

Reading to perform a task – crafts, cooking, scavenger hunt

Family sing along Reading directions to a game

Your turn to create!

In your small group, brainstorm ideas for a tic-tac-toe card. Use the template I have provided you to create your own tic-tac-toe card based on the literacy level of your students.

Communicating With Parents

• Share the educational purpose of family literacy activities with parents.

• Create a parental advisory group to understand the needs of the community.

• Surveys are not always the best way to collect data.• Establish a Family Literacy Night at school with a

variety of literacy activities for students and their families. (We will discuss the various steps of implementing this in a later presentation.)

Family Literacy Principles (Neuman et al., 1998)

Family literacy is not something that can be “done” to people.

Family literacy is not about changing people but about offering choices and opportunities to families.

Parents come with rich histories and experiences that should be honored and used in program development.

Family literacy programs have both direct and indirect benefits.

Family literacy learning is a matter of “small wins” (p. 250-251).

The Next Step

I will teach a demonstrative lesson on family literacy during a class period next week (time and place TBD). You may observe and give feedback if you are free during that class period. Please indicate your availability on the evaluation form.

Evaluation

Please complete the evaluation form. This PowerPoint will be available on my Wiki for you to view at your leisure (including the group ideas on slide #8). The web address is www.towsonreading.wikispaces.com. Thank you, and I look forward to working with you to make our school environment more family-literacy friendly!

References

National Center for Family Literacy. (2010). NCFL & family literacy: Triggering positive change. Retrieved October 31, 2010, from http://www.famlit.org/ncfl-family-literacy/

Neuman, S. B., Caperelli, D., & Kee, C. (1998). Literacy learning: A family matter. The Reading Teacher, 52(3), 244-252.

Paratore, J.R. (2005). Approaches to family literacy: Exploring the possibilities. The Reading Teacher, 59(4), 394–396.

Pitcher, S. M. & Mackey, B. (2004). Collaborating for real literacy: Librarian, teacher, and principal. Worthington, Ohio: Linworth Publishing.

Taylor, D. (1983). Family literacy: Young children learn to read and write. London: Heinemann Educational Books.