Literacy – Spanning North America :: Bassano AB :: Washington DC :: Warsaw IN

Literacy: Spanning North America

Newell Further 

Education

Adult Literacy Supports in Alberta

Danielle Smith Show: 6.15.2020

Guest Jackie Seely, Program Director for Newell Further Education in the County of Newell  LISTEN 03:30-22:14

@WASHLIT

Adult Learning And The Digital Divide

Kojo Nnamdi Show: 6.15.2020

Right now there are over 64,000 people in D.C. that do not have a high school diploma. Seven-thousand of them are currently trying to change that, some by attending the adult public charter school, Academy of Hope, but the pandemic has certainly been a challenge for them and their teachers.

Many of these students are at or below the poverty line. Many of them are unemployed because of the pandemic while still trying to support their families. And many of them do not have access to computers or the internet — all of which makes learning a challenge.

There are also over 100,000 adults in D.C. that have a low literacy level, and they’re experiencing similar problems with online learning.

So, who’s helping these people make sure they have the resources to continue their education?

@AoHDC

Guests

Lecester Johnson Chief Executive Officer, Academy of Hope

Jimmie Williams President and CEO, Washington Literacy Center

Robin Barr Professor and Linguist in Residence, American University & Senior Instructor, Washington Literacy Center  LISTEN 22:05   Transcript

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 7

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 11-13 yrs. old

(Sixth and Seventh graders)

@klsread

KLS Receives $10K Grant From Dollar General Foundation

Times Union: 6.15.2020

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded Kosciusko Literacy Services (KLS) a $10,000 grant to support adult literacy.

This local grant is part of more than $8.6 million in grants awarded to more than 950 schools, nonprofits and organizations across the communities Dollar General serves, according to a news release from KLS.

KLS Executive Director Cynthia Cates stated that the grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation makes Kosciusko County stronger by supporting the One-on-One Tutoring for Adults Program. KLS conducts an adult literacy class and provides tutors for adult students who need additional help to learn to read, to earn a high school equivalency diploma or to learn English as a new language. Each of these programs helps adults become self-sufficient members of the community by removing barriers to employment. 

Cates commended the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for the support and the Dollar General stores for operating in smaller communities not served by grocery stores. In addition, certain products purchased at a Dollar General Store goes to support literacy.

The most recent PIAAC skills reports that 20% of adults in the county are reading at or below Level 1, the release states. Adults at this level have difficulties using or comprehending print materials. READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level)

Can This Lamp Make Reading Easier for Those With Dyslexia? via PC

Can This Lamp Make Reading Easier for Those With Dyslexia?

PC: 1.05.2020 by Adam Smith

Can a lamp be the solution to dyslexic people's reading troubles? According to French company Lexilife, which is unveiling the Lexilight here at CES, the answer is yes.

Lexilife's lamp uses a mix of pulsating and modulated light that can help reduce the mirroring effect, with adjustable LEDs that allow one eye to take precedence over the other, as well as tailoring the light and the refresh rate to the reader's vision specifically.

Jun 12, 2019

Lexilight claims the light is effective if you're reading from a paper page or a screen, with a hinged design so it can be positioned vertically in front of a screen, and is small and light enough that it can be carried around in a backpack. Unfortunately, the lamp has to be plugged in at all times, but the company says an updated model with a rechargable battery is coming in mid-2020.

At £499 (British pound) the lamp does not come cheap, but the company offers a 30-day trial and a 10-year warranty.

The lamp will be available in the United States soon, and hopefully the price will go down eventually.  WATCH 03:58

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

Ultimate List of Graphic Organizers for Teachers & Students via Creately

The Ultimate List of Graphic Organizers for Teachers and Students

Creately: 10.21.2019

Graphic organizers integrate both text and visuals. This has been scientifically proven to be an effective way of teaching and learning. Using them can be extremely useful for both teachers and students as they will make lessons more engaging as well as easily comprehensible.  

We have listed below multiple types of graphic organizers you can use during various scenarios, whether you are reading, writing, doing research or studying for exams. Each tool is accompanied by a template that you can use right away.

Graphic Organizers for Writing

Graphic Organizers for Reading

Graphic Organizers for Teaching

Graphic Organizers for Learning

Graphic Organizers for Brainstorming

Graphic Organizers for Compare and Contrast

What are Graphic Organizers

A graphic organizer is a teaching and learning tool that is used to organize information and ideas in a way that is easy to comprehend and internalize. By integrating text and visuals, graphic organizers show relationships and connections between concepts, terms, and facts.

Graphic organizers can be used in all grade levels, and have proven to be effective learning tools for gifted children and students with special needs. And with adult learners, graphic organizers can help enable the connection between what they already know and newly acquired knowledge.

Benefits of graphic organizers

Different types of graphic organizers can be used across the curriculum for teaching, learning, and note-taking. They are easy to create and impactful in simplifying information.

➽ Help visualize or present information in a way that is easier to comprehend, by breaking down larger or complex concepts or ideas into smaller and simpler parts.

➽ Provide students the opportunity to actively contribute and participate in the learning pr ocess through the creation of graphic organizers. 

➽ Help develop cognitive skills such as brainstorming, critical and creative thinking, categorizing and prioritizing content, reflection, etc.

➽ Help recall prior knowledge about a subject and quickly connect it to new information

➽ Promotes self-learning. By using graphic organizers for note-taking, analyzing, studying, etc. students can familiarize themselves with a lesson far more easily.

Types of Graphic Organizers

Here we have listed 19 types of graphic organizers for teaching and learning. Based on their varied purposes, you can utilize them in reading, writing, researching, brainstorming, and analyzing.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level)

Literacy – Spanning North America :: Oswego NY :: Strathmore AB :: Redwood City CA :: Tarrytown NY

Literacy: Spanning North America

Literacy Volunteers
Oswego County

Volunteers Play Key Role For OCO

Oswego County Today: 6.15.2020

For OCO’s Literacy Volunteers of Oswego County, the name says it all. Literacy Volunteers’ tutors provide weekly tutoring services in reading, writing, math, English speaking, computer, and workplace skills. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had an immediate impact on the Literacy Volunteers program; one that affected both the adult learners and the tutors.

“Tutoring is done face to face, but of course we are not able to do that now,” explained Literacy Volunteers Program Coordinator Meg Henderson. “The way we deliver our service has completely changed during this pandemic.  Tutors are meeting weekly over the phone or virtually through a platform like Zoom. They have also had to adjust by learning new technologies to best assist their students with instruction remotely.”

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created a challenging situation, Literacy Volunteers’ tutors have not let that deter them from working with their students.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

Strathmore

 Library

SAIL Will Be Offering Summer Programs

Strathmore Now: 6.15.2020 by Cody Gillespie

The Strathmore & area Adult Inclusive Learning (SAIL) program will be adapting to the restrictions, like many other programs this year, to offer a few summer courses. Literacy Services Coordinator at the Strathmore Municipal Library Tammy Nischuk believes that summer is a great time to learn and wants to connect with the community in a low technology way. Various programs will be offered including a “Walk and Talk” for english learners to walk around the community (following the restrictions of social distancing) and practice their conversational english. There will be a program called Telephone Talk, where individuals who’ve had difficulty talking or using a phone can learn the basics, and the library also offers a program called Mastering Math to help people brush up on their math skills and shake off some of the rust for those going back to school or wanting to sharpen their numeracy skills.

Nischuk explains that at this time, a majority of courses will remain online with a few opening up to some socially distanced interaction. “We really wanted to be able to see our learners face to face which is why we’re having the very small, space limited, Walk and Talk. In the fall, we’re planning on continuing with online delivery until something changes,” said Nischuk.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level)

@RwcRead

Project READ'S Book Club: Father's Day Edition

Redwood City Library: 6.17.2020

Welcome back to our weekly Book Club. Today we're celebrating Dads by reading, How To Surprise Dad written by Jean Reagan. Then join along as we make an animated card for Father's Day or for any special person in your life.

How To Surprise Dad written by Jean Reagan

Animated Card Directions Video

Animated Greeting Cards

A Simple Way to Make Artwork Appear to Move!

This fun activity will give students the opportunity to create a basic animation to better understand how motion pictures and the human eye work.

Activity Challenge: Create an animated greeting card.

Preparation

1. Review the Materials Needed list and gather all materials.

2. Think about the animation you want to show. For example, you might show a fish opening its mouth to eat, a monster smiling, or a student laughing. Use your imagination!

To Do

1.

Start by folding one sheet of paper in half.

2.

Fold one of the top flaps over so it aligns with the folded crease.

3.

We are going to draw a friendly monster for this activity. Keeping the flap down, draw an oval for your monster’s head.

4.

Draw eyes and a mouth. Make sure that the mouth is drawn on the bottom flap of the card.  WATCH

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 6

Reading Level: fairly easy to read.

Reader's Age: 10-11 yrs. olds

(Fifth and Sixth graders)

* Happy 45^th Anniversary LVT!

LVT Newsletter: January 2009

We have certainly come a long way since 1973 when, disturbed by census figures which showed a large number of functional illiterates in the Tarrytowns, Selma Shill of Warner Library looked into the work of Literacy Volunteers of America.

Warner Library

A decision to form a library-sponsored affiliate in the Tarrytowns was made. The following spring, people in the community interested in the adult literacy movement were invited to a meeting at Warner. About twenty people responded, and in June 1974 a provisional affiliate was organized and named Literacy Volunteers of the Tarrytowns. The Friends of the Library and the Library Board of Trustees gave financial support. June Schermerhorn, an early volunteer, and Selma Shill worked together to build a strong organization. They are recognized as co-founders.

LVT’s first basic reading workshop, held in October 1974, produced twenty-two trained tutors. The group decided to enter the English as a Second Language (ESL) field when the wave of immigration from many lands that had given the Tarrytowns a colorful ethnic diversity and had also resulted in a large number of adult residents who could not speak English. In the spring of 1975, ten individuals were certified as tutors at the conclusion of the first ESL workshop.

As the years passed, LVT continued its work of training tutors and teaching students as its volunteers reached an ever-widening circle of people in need of help. The Library provided a base, with an LVT office as well as space for tutoring, workshops and meetings.  READ MORE ➤➤

* Newsletters ◻ Blogs ◻ Stories

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

Reading Through the Ages :: Generational Reading Survey via Library Journal

Reading Through the Ages | Generational Reading Survey

Library Journal: 1.06.2020 by Amy Rea

When it comes to reading for pleasure, there are plenty of similarities across all age groups. But there are also enough variations in who is reading, how they read, and where they get books, to provide useful information about generational reading habits.

LJ conducted a survey of 2,232 readers with at least 400 in each age group—Generation Z (16–22), Millennials (23–38), Generation X (39–54), Baby Boomers (55–73), and the Silent Generation (74–91)—to explore those differences. LJ examined Gen-Z and Millennial readers in depth earlier this year, but the responses across the board are worth looking at.

READING FOR PLEASURE

When asked if they read for pleasure more, less, or the same amount as three years before, Millennials were much more likely to say they read more now than three years ago (48 percent). This could represent aging out of parenting infants and toddlers into a time of life with more time to read. In contrast, nearly half of Generation Z respondents said they read less for pleasure now.

This group encompasses student in high school and college, and their time is likely committed to required reading rather than recreational.

BUYING AND BORROWING

The Silent Generation also led the pack in number of books purchased, averaging nine annually, 11 borrowed from the library, and seven acquired another way.

LIBRARY USE

Generation X (79 percent) and Baby Boomers (75 percent) are most likely to have library cards. Only 62 percent of Generation Z are cardholders, but 47 percent borrowed at least one book from the public library in the past year—indicating that Gen-Z members with cards are highly likely to use them.

=In contrast, 73 percent of the Silent Generation have a library card, yet only 40 percent borrowed a book in the past year

BUYING VS. BORROWING

All generations are more likely to borrow from the library at least monthly than to purchase books. However, more than twice as many people say they never borrow books from the library than say they never buy books.

WHY THE LIBRARY?

Reasons for going to the library are similar across all but the youngest generation surveyed, but the proportions shift somewhat:

HOW READERS FIND BOOKS

Websites and apps devoted to letting people rate and review books still haven’t overcome an old favorite: Recommendations from friends and family are the top method all generations use to find out about books they might want to read. More than 55 percent in each generation choose that approach.

BROWSING AND REVIEWING

Content samples and pricing had the strongest effects on book selection across all generations. For Generation Z and Millennials, cover art was nearly as important, while for the Silent Generation, it was the least important factor. Author blurbs and jacket copy are less influential overall.

FORMAT PREFERENCES

Print books comprise the majority of formats used across all generations. However, at least 62 percent of all respondents noted that they read in more than one format. Older generations are less likely to read multiple formats, while more than 70 percent of Generation Z and Millennials do.

LISTENING IN

For respondents who prefer audiobooks, far and away the primary reason is the ability to listen to a book while doing other things. Thirty-one percent of the Silent Generation also noted that they have difficulty reading print.

GENRE PREFERENCES

When asked to estimate how many fiction and nonfiction books they read in the past year, fiction ranked higher across all generations. Overall, the estimate is 61 percent fiction and 39 percent nonfiction. Fiction is especially prevalent in the youngest (Generation Z, 65 percent) and oldest (Silent Generation, 66 percent) generations.

BOOK EVENT PARTICIPATION

Book clubs, both in-person and online, are mostly popular with younger generations. At least 72 percent of respondents said they did not participate in book clubs.

CULTURAL REPRESENTATION

Respondents were asked how important it is to them to read books that reflect their own cultural background, values, or personal identity (for example, religion, sexuality/gender, ability status, etc.).  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

Twelfth graders)

Literacy Reports & Statistics

General

America’s Most Educated Cities & States: Wallet Hub (2019)

America’s Most Literate Cities, CCSU

2020: Reading Through the Ages: Generational Reading Survey, LJ (Amy Rea)

2017: U.S. Trends in Arts Attendance and Literary Reading: 2002–2017, NEA

2016: Book Reading 2016, Pew

2013: Remodeling Literacy Learning, Natl Center for Literacy Education (NCLE)

2012: Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Options Practice Research, NAS

2007: To Read Not To Read, NEA

2004: Reading At Risk, NEA