Schools in Assiniboia enthusiastically took part in National Family Literacy Day on January 27. The Assiniboia Elementary School began their day with a “Reading for Bikes” activity with the 7th Avenue School students gathering a short while later. As part of the reading session, parents of children at both schools were invited to come and read with their children.
“Reading for Bikes” is for children from pre-Kindergarten to Grade 8, and sponsored by the Kinette Club of Assiniboia. Starting January 27, it runs until May 31, 2017, and encourages students to read and meet criteria for their age group to enter into a draw for a new bike.
While the focus will be on gaining reading skills, students in Grades 5 to 8 will also have a written component where they will also review and rate their book. These are also important literacy skills that students can take away from this activity. The draw will be made on the last day of the four-month activity. The winner, along with parents and a Kinettes member, will visit Harvey’s Home Centre to pick out a new bike and a new helmet sponsored by Safe Communities of Assiniboia.
Lisa Martin from the Kinettes noted that this reading activity is meant to support the most fundamental aspect of literacy — the ability to read. She said that this is the second year for this activity. The idea began with the Kinettes in Saskatoon who started the activity for inner city schools. The activity seems to be working.
Early statistics show an increase in reading and “students more engaged in reading,” noted Assiniboia Elementary school principal Brian Ruthven. “Our students are understanding the importance of reading,” he said. He added that the province and the school division have focused more on literacy.
Aaron Hesjedal, principal of 7th Avenue School, stated that he has also seen a rise in reading at his school. This Literacy Day is beneficial because it helps students and their parents to focus on the essentials of literacy.
The 7th Avenue School later in the day also held a family “book-nic” which was a type of picnic with books and reading for parents and their children. Parents and children found comfortable spots all over the school — in the library, in classrooms and hallways — to play word games and read stories.
The Assiniboia and District Public Library also hosted a Pajama Day with reading and literacy activities for pre-school children on January 27. The preschool children of Assiniboia attended the event dressed in pajamas to create an atmosphere of bedtime story reading fun. Bette Malesh began the event by reading stories, followed by a craft project, scavenger hunt for books throughout the library and topped off with a snack. Many of the children attend the story time on a regular basis. By the look of all the radiant faces, everyone enjoyed the day.
At the Assiniboia library, librarian Lori Crighton explained that literacy is supported all year long at the library with the Itsy-Bitsy play and reading group to teach early literacy and language awareness. The library also offers regular pre-school story-time with reading and activities for pre-school age, a summer reading club for children and a book club for adult readers. The library also carries ESL and other literacy materials and additional materials can be ordered.
Contrary to popular belief, books are still in style. Crighton sees a trend among young readers to prefer books as an alternative to electronic equipment. Readers — young and old — find books a tactile three-dimensional experience. Libraries are no longer just books, said Crighton. The Assiniboia library now offers DVDs, CDs, books on CD, magazines, newspapers and electronic borrowing materials.
The Conference Board of Canada this past year gave Canada a rating of “C” for literacy. Among the nation’s adults, there are 42 per cent between the ages of 16 and 65 with low literacy skills and 55 per cent of working age adults in Canada are estimated to have less than adequate health literacy skills. A one per cent increase in the literacy rate would generate $18 billion in economic growth every year.
