Celebrate Literacy Week 2017

Photo Credit: Chronicle Books

Each year the state of Florida and FLVS dedicates one full week to celebrate all things literacy.

Appropriately titled “Celebrate Literacy Week,” the entire state joins together to share their love for literacy through activities that include reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking!

Celebrate Literacy Week is presented by Just Read Florida and the Florida Department of Education to remind everyone that “Literacy Changes the World.”

Now in its seventh year, Celebrate Literacy Week allows school districts and families to engage in fun activities that bring the community together for the love of reading.

The Just Read Florida website provides a comprehensive list of activities that all families can enjoy during this event. They even include a printable bookmark to help us all keep our place as we read, read, read! Did you know that the more a child is exposed to print and books the more successful a reader they will be as they grow?

It is never too early or too late to take a book out and read.

If you’re a parent with young children at home (or a teen with younger brothers or sisters!), I encourage you to do it tonight as you unwind after a busy day.

Reading to your children, no matter what age, promotes a strong sense of literacy.

Reading aloud to children is vital because it helps them acquire the information and skills they need in life, such as:

• Knowledge of printed letters and words, and the relationship between sound and print
• The meaning of words
• How books work and a variety of writing styles
• The difference between written language and everyday conversation
• The pleasure of reading

This week, a few members of the instructional team for FLVS Parenting Skills would like to celebrate literacy by sharing their favorite read-aloud storybooks. Included in the list are videos so stories can be enjoyed immediately:

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

by Laura Joffe Numeroff

Watch and listen to the story read by the author!

 Chosen by Gisela Delgado, FLVS Instructional Leader

The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh

by A. A. Milne

Listen to the story read by Dame Judy Dench!

 Chosen by Theresa Bauman, FLVS Lead Teacher

Stellaluna

by Janelle Cannon

Watch and listen to the story!

Chosen by Stephanie Scarborough, FLVS Teacher

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows the Type

by Doreen Cronin

Watch and listen to the story!

Chosen by Jeanne Giardino-Zanegood, FLVS Teacher

So as you rush off to your local libraries this week to partake in the celebration, never forget that families should enjoy literacy every day, together!

Celebrate Literacy Week Resources

Celebrate literacy tips for families (PDF)

Celebrate literacy printable bookmarks (PDF)

P. S. Join FLVS for Celebrate Literacy Week events all week long! Learn more.