Wednesday 5 March 2014

Advocacy, My Daughter, Morris Gleitzman & Jackie French

What a great day was had by all the folk who made it to the NSW State Library Day last Saturday
where Darcy Moore (Deputy Principal Dapto High School), 

authors Jackie French and Morris Gleitzman 

Ava Banerjee (SHORE School) and Andrew Taylor, author 

 Michael Grant, creator of Edutainme, provided plenty of learning opportunities.

                                                             See the storify for more insight.
screenshot of storify page.

Darcy Moore (Deputy Principal Dapto High) blogged this post after the day:
Advocacy, My Daughter, Morris Gleitzman & Jackie French
What a great opportunity for a young girl!
Well done to SLANSW for facilitating a student voice in the introductions!

Don't forget to visit the Australian Teacher Librarian Facebook Page to keep up to date.

Sunday 2 March 2014

The Right to read!!! and write...World Read Aloud Day March 5

A year has passed already since the last World Read Aloud Day

World Read Aloud Day is an opportunity to celebrate reading and storytelling
with entire communities. World Read Aloud Day also highlights the need for
libraries and community centres as crucial spaces to discover, explore and
foster literacy.
Imagine a world where everyone can read... 
On World Read Aloud Day, celebrate by reading aloud or 
taking action on behalf of the 793 million people who cannot read
.
How did this event start? who had the bright idea? Read this inspiring article:
Huffington Post: Read Aloud. Change the World.
Read Aloud. Change the World by Pam Allyn

"You're never too old, too wacky,too wild, to pick up a book, and read to a child!!" Dr. Suess


World Read Aloud Day is about taking action 
to show the world that 
the right to read and write belongs to all people.

There are many resources available at LitWorld
including:
Download the World Read Aloud Day Classroom Activity Kit. - See more at: http://litworld.org/worldreadalouddayactivities/#sthash.VwqMoK0o.dpuf
Click to download LitWorld's Picture Book New Day, New Friends:
Activities from Read Write Think courtesy of Barbara Braxton:

I made this World Read Aloud sticker sheet to give out to the children.

- See more at: http://litworld.org/worldreadalouddayactivities/#sthash.VwqMoK0o.dpuf

Make every day read aloud day - a post  by Donalyn Miller is well worth a read.
"Reading aloud exposes children to books, authors, or genres they might not discover on their own. When choosing books to read aloud, I often pick books with the goal of leading my students to more books they can read on their own."
Reading aloud builds community.
Reading aloud supports developing readers.
Reading aloud reminds children why they love reading."
 Miller also lists many great read aloud books for you to try.
Did you know:
Global Literacy Statistics 
LitWorld works to cultivate a new generation of leaders, storytellers and academic
achievers, effecting change for themselves, their community, and their world. Our
campaigns mobilize children and adults from around the world to advocate for literacy as a
human right that belongs to all people.

Ø Reading aloud to children every day puts them almost a year ahead of
children who do not receive daily read alouds regardless of parental
income, education level or cultural background. (Melbourne Institute of
Applied Economic and Social Research)

Ø According to the latest data (2009), 793 million adults – two thirds of
them women – lack basic reading and writing skills. Included in this
statistic are 127 million youth aged 15-24. (UNESCO)

Ø Since 1985, the female adult literacy rate has risen 15%, which is about
double the growth of the male literacy rate in the same time period.
(UNESCO)

Ø On tests involving 4,500 to 10,000 students in 43 countries, half of the
girls said they read for at least thirty minutes a day, compared with less
than one-third of the boys. (UNESCO)

Ø In sub-Saharan Africa, girls have less than a 50% chance of finishing
primary school. In some Asian countries, girls also struggle: 41% of girls
in Pakistan and 30% in India fail to finish primary school. (results.org)

Ø Poorly-literate individuals are less likely to participate in democratic
processes and have fewer chances to fully exercise their civil rights
(UNESCO)

Ø A child born to a mother who can read is 50 percent more likely to
survive past the age of 5 than a child born to an illiterate woman.
(UNESCO)

Ø A literate and educated girl is three times less likely to acquire AIDS,
she will earn at least twenty-five percent more income, and she will
produce a smaller, healthier family. (UNESCO) 

UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Further reading 2@ http://litworld.org/worldreadaloudday
Huffington Post: Read Aloud. Change the World.

Enjoy one or all of the read alouds below:
I chose a few to cater for different aged students.