Literacy Link - Leamos
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Literacy Link - Leamos Newsletter |
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September/October 2006
Calendar of Events
International Literacy Day Outreach at Food Basket Friday, Sept. 8, 10 am to 2 pm
LL-L Board MeetingMonday, Sept. 11, 5:15 pm
LL-L Tutors’ In-Service Tuesday, Oct. 10, 12 to 2 pm
Red Hot Children’s Fiesta Saturday, October 14, 10 to 2 At Penny Park
Public Library Closed: Sept. 4- Labor Day Oct. 13-NMLA Conference
a community of motivated learners and dedicated volunteers committed to increasing literacy, reading, and the love of learning throughout Grant County.
Literacy Link-Leamos 515 W. College Avenue Silver City, NM 88061 (505) 388-0892 literacylinkleamos@yahoo.com www.gilarangers.com/leamos.htm
Michelle Detterick Program Coordinator |
International Literacy Day
The goal of International Literacy Day is to focus attention on the need to promote worldwide literacy. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) estimates that one-fifth of the world’s adult population does not know how to read or write. International Literacy Day, first observed on September 8, 1967, commemorates efforts to promote literacy and an education for all. Literacy, the core of all education, is important because it is instrumental in an individual’s development at personal, family, and community levels. Literacy Link – Leamos will celebrate the day by hosting a community outreach at the Food Basket on September 8 from 10 am to 2 pm. Volunteers will distribute a variety of books and a free drink to interested shoppers from the deli dining area of the store. If you enjoy visiting with people and have an hour to spare, please contact the LL-L office to volunteer for this very special outreach. Throughout September LL-L Head Start readers will include international stories during their story times and other activities to promote awareness in the Head Start classes of the many different languages and cultures in our world. Each classroom will also receive a tape of songs and a songbook in either Spanish or French. Stemming from a “think globally, act locally” mindset, each child will receive a picture book to take home. A literate world begins in our neighborhood.
Customer Service Training
Teachers and staff of El Grito Head Start participated in a Customer Service workshop facilitated by Jennifer Perez, a board member of Literacy Link –Leamos and advocate of workplace literacy. The workshop, held in early August, was designed to provide instruction and practice in communication skills among staff and with parents. Thank you, Jennifer, for a very beneficial workshop!
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Red Hot Children’s Fiesta
Plans are underway for the fourth annual Red Hot Children’s Fiesta sponsored by the Grant County Health Council and Literacy Link – Leamos has been invited to participate. This year’s fiesta, a fun-filled event for the whole family designed to inform families of local programs and their services will be held at Penny Park, on Saturday, October 14, from 10 to 2. Strolling minstrels and clowns set the stage for a lot of excitement, smiles, and family fun at the Fiesta. At the LL-L booth, “Families Read and Grow,” volunteers will be helping families select books and enjoy a simple fun game or activity. Last year’s event attracted 800 kids and their parents! This is a wonderful opportunity for us meet people in our community and to publicize our program. We will need your help! Remember our motto: GIVE (Get Involved: Volunteers Energize). Call the LL-L office soon!
From the Corner Office Greetings! I hope summer has been as refreshing for you as our recent summer rains have been for the land. As green burst forth in the countryside, we are set to get going in this new program year. Several community outreaches are scheduled for this fall. Recruitment of learners and volunteers continues. Computers are being incorporated in many weekly tutoring sessions. And those are just some of the highlights of what’s ahead! Thank you for your continued help and support. Together we are making a difference in our community. Take care and I hope to see you soon! Michelle
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. Tutors, this page is full of ideas and practical information for you! Let me know if you find anything new, interesting, or helpful. Thanks! MD
Nonfiction: A Tutor’s Secret Weapon for All Readers
Nonfiction. It’s real. It’s relevant. It’s high interest. Think about a preschooler’s attention to picture books about things-animals, weather, trucks, food, etc. Bonus of nonfiction: Better performance on standardized tests as nonfiction supplies practice in reading maps, charts, graphs. Skills in assessing and analyzing are honed with using nonfiction. Nonfiction Sources: newspapers, magazines, trivia books, biographies.
“Nonfiction reading is now a staple of most careers.” Dr. Christenbury, Ph.D.
When we read nonfiction we often read one section at a time which appeals to emerging readers of all ages. While reading nonfiction we scan and skim the text, developing two important reading skills. We analyze and assess information presented in charts, graphs, maps, and pictures. Our vocabulary is increased as nonfiction often includes technical terms and is specific to the subject matter. Short takes in the books are beneficial so the reader may read at leisure and still fully understand the text.
Simple Tip for Tutors
Tell your learner to not worry about mistakes. Mistakes are helpful; they tell you what to work on. Mistakes are a good way to learn. |
Great Nonfiction on the LL-L Shelves
BOLDPRINTS: High interest selections for adults and children; lots of pictures; reading level varies, 2 and up. 14 books, ranging from HEADLINES and THE WILD WEST to REPTILES and PLAY BALL.
BIOGRAPHIES: Selection varies in reading level and length but includes: Elvis Presley, George Washington Carver, Julia Roberts, and Lou Gehrig, and Ichiro Suzuki.
JUST THE FACTS, MA’AM: other nonfiction: Fabulous Facts about the 50 States, Everest, A Castle, City, a Story of Roman Planning and Construction.
Power of Praise
Praise, praise, praise! This is a key tutor responsibility. Even routine work should be constantly acknowledged with a ‘good’ or a nod of the head. Praise will be most encouraging to your learner when it is specific to an accomplished goal. But be sure to “Say it loud and clear” To get you started, here are some encouraging phrases:
Super! Yes! Way to Go! That’s the right answer. Beautiful. That’s right. Great! Good for you. Congratulations. Yes! That’s a good point. You really outdid yourself today. What neat work. Topnotch work. I appreciate your help. You make it look so easy. Terrific. Great going! Outstanding! I knew you could do it.
Tutors’ In-service
Join us as we explore LL-L’s laptops and discuss using the computer in weekly tutoring sessions on Tuesday, October 10, from 12 to 2 pm. Bring a sack lunch. Drinks and DESSERTS will be provided. Plan now to attend!
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Available Software
Funds from the Rotary Learning Center project have provided one desktop and two laptop computers for LL-L tutors to use with learners. The following software has been installed on all of them: Ultimate Phonics Reading Program, The Alphabet, Math For Everyday Living, How To Read for Everyday Living, How To Write for Everyday Living, GED Practice 1120,Road To Citizenship, Print shop ResumePro, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, Mavis Beacon Teaches Microsoft Word & Excel 2003, Vocabulary Builder/ Spelling
Spotlight on Mavis Teaches Typing: includes lessons from touch typing to 400+ words exercises/tests and wpm assessments; 12 games to practice various typing skills. Good tool for improving spelling, too.
All of the computers have access to the internet. Specific directions for using the computers are posted in the LL-L office. Marilyn Berry, LL-L office assistant, is available to review programs or go over computer basics with tutors. Call the LL-L office to schedule an appointment.
Announcements Sign-up for Room: To reserve the tutoring room, register with the library staff at their HELP desk. You may sign up for use one month in advance.
Literacy Link – Leamos is partially funded by the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy. |
