Crowsnest Pass Literacy Programs

 Winter/Spring 2008

Many literacy programs in the Crowsnest Pass are offered by the CNP Adult Literacy Program and the CNP Literacy Foundation. The literacy programs help adults and children in the community to build literacy skills.

Crowsnest Pass Adult Literacy Program
Literacy Coordinator - Cheryl Cann - 562-2853

1) One-on-One Tutor Program - This is a program for adults who wish to improve their reading, writing and speaking skills. The adults may be basic literacy learners, or English as Second Language speakers. They receive weekly help from a trained volunteer tutor. The literacy program is confidential.
2) Seniors Reading Program - Volunteers read one-on-one with seniors at York Creek Lodge each week and help the seniors to write letters or cards and fill out forms as needed. Many seniors also read weekly as group with a literacy volunteer.

Crowsnest Pass Literacy Foundation
Literacy Coordinator - Cheryl Cann - 563-5022
Home Visit Facilitators - Kym Knowles and Carol Ann Smith - 563-5022

1) Parents In Partnership Tutor Program - The trained volunteer tutors in this program are adults or referred grades 7+ students who wish to help a school-aged student to enjoy reading. Pairs work each week during the school day at Horace Allen or Isabelle Sellon School.
2) Parents In Partnership Home Visit Program - A trained literacy staff person has weekly home visits with families of school-aged children to help build children’s reading skills.
3) Homespun Family Reading Program - In Homespun, families learn how to make reading part of their family life. Families learn to use books, crafts, activities and reading games to make reading at home fun. A children’s program is provided at no cost.
4) RAP (Reading and Parenting) Time - In RAP Time, parents will use children’s literature, crafts and activities to discuss parenting and add to their parenting skills. A children’s program is provided at no cost. NEW PROGRAM!

Books For Babies Program
Program Coordinator - Cheryl Cann - 563-5022 or 562-2853

In the Books For Babies Program, all newborns in the Crowsnest Pass get a book bag with children’s books and ideas for parents about reading with their children. The CNP Adult Literacy Program, the CNP Literacy Foundation, the Chinook Regional Library, and the Chinook Health Unit work together in this project. Bags are handed out at the 4-month baby visit at the Health Unit.

The CNP Adult Literacy Program and CNP Literacy Foundation thank the following sponsors for their support and financial help: Alberta Learning, CNP Adult Education Network, Chinook Educational Consortium, Community Services, Horace Allen School, Isabelle Sellon School, Crowsnest Consolidated High School, Casino Lethbridge, Pincher Creek/Waterton Shell and many businesses and agencies in the Crowsnest Pass.

Become a Literacy volunteer! Help a child or adult learn to read better! Tutors work weekly with students, and receive support and tutoring resources from the Literacy Programs.

Basic Tutor Training

Tutor Training workshops prepare volunteers to help adults and children to improve their reading skills. Tutors learn how to use learning styles strategies to improve students’ reading and will learn to use a variety of reading strategies, books and games to plan great tutor sessions. Volunteers who complete the training will be matched with their choice of an adult literacy student or school-aged student in grades 1-6.

Monday, October 6 & Wednesday October 8, 10:00 - 4:00 @ the Chinook Educational Consortium, room #17, 2nd floor. To register, call Cheryl Cann @ 562-2853 or 563-5022. No charge for literacy volunteers.

RAP Time

RAP (Reading and Parenting) Time will provide a place for parents to use children’s literature, crafts and activities to learn parenting strategies and build on parenting skills. Topics include: Parenting Styles, Building Children’s Self Esteem, Positive Discipline, Families as Teams, Nutrition for Preschoolers and Family Time. An on-site children’s program is provided at no extra charge.

Six Tuesdays, October 14- November 25, 10:00- 12:00 @ the Crowsnest Centre, room #17, second floor (new location). Facilitator: Kym Knowles. To register, call Cheryl Cann @ 562-2853 or 563-5022. Cost per family: $5.00

Lapbooks

A lapbook is a literacy tool that you can use with your children to learn about a theme or topic. Lapbooks are made from file folders and are created using a collection of mini books and activities that can be put inside the folders. Lapbooks are a wonderful way to get children excited about learning and are a fun activity for families to do together. Join us to build a creative lapbook folder based on the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. You will leave the workshop with a completed lapbook that you can use to play and learn with your child. Supplies are provided.

Thursday, September 25th from 1:00- 4:00 @ the Chinook Educational Consortium, room #17, 2nd floor. Facilitator: Teri Harrison, Brighter Futures. To register, call Cheryl Cann @ 562-2853 or 563-5022. No charge for the workshop. This workshop is being offered by the Literacy Foundation in partnership with Brighter Futures.

Story Sacks

Story Sacks (also called Literacy Bags or Literacy Backpacks) are bags that contain activities, games and other objects that “extend” the experience of your child’s favourite book. They are designed to help parents to become involved with their child’s learning in a fun, positive and natural way. Come to the workshop and learn how to put together one of these sacks full of fun for your little ones! Supplies are provided.

Thursday, December 4th from 1:00- 4:00 @ the Chinook Educational Consortium, room # 17, 2nd floor. Facilitator: Carol Ann Smith. To register, call Cheryl Cann @ 562-2853 or 563-5022. No charge for the workshop.

THE ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM AND LITERACY FOUNDATION
THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT
AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:

Alberta Learning
CNP Adult Education Network
Chinook Educational Consortium
Community Services
Horace Allen School
Isabelle Sellon School
Crowsnest Consolidated High School
Casino Lethbridge
Pincher Creek/Waterton Shell

Anonymous donor and many businesses and agencies in the Crowsnest Pass.