Storytelling and Reading Events

Support the Wonder of Storytelling and Reading

This year the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) awarded student Laura Dowling the 2010 Taylor Award for her video animation, Storytellers of Ireland. As Laura takes us through an atmospheric scene populated by characters from many tales, she writes that stories were invented “to answer the great unanswerable questions.” She notes the wonder and mystery of storytelling, that power of a great tale or legend “to bring a hush to a room, a catch to the breath, a leap to the curious heart.” In support of this idea we encourage you to celebrate storytelling and reading at every opportunity!

A Statement About Early Literacy

Beginning in pre-school and continuing through the primary grades, we must include language activities that develop listening and expressive skills. Such activities include:

  • listening to stories, poems and expository text
  • telling and retelling stories and nursery rhymes
  • singing and chanting (including the alphabet song)
  • discussing word meanings, ideas, books and experiences
  • making predictions about words and stories

These activities develop understanding of vocabulary, syntax, and story structure in all children. They are especially important for English language learners and for children who do not come from homes where literacy is nurtured.

Parents should be enlisted to support the development of their child’s reading skills by:

  • reading to their child
  • listening to their child read
  • discussing what has been read

This home-school connection should be supported by schools and teachers through regular communications with parents about classroom activities and expectations. Materials should be sent home for parents to read with their children.

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The National African American Read-In Month (USA)

February 1st – February 28th

Sponsored by the Black Caucus of NCTE and by NCTE

In the spirit of celebration of February as Black History Month in the USA, The Global Literacy Project, Inc. continues to endorse the National African American Read-In Chain.

The African American Read-In chain has been successful in making reading a traditional part of Black History Month celebrations throughout the USA.  Sponsored nationally by the National Council of Teachers of English and endorsed by the International Reading Association, the intent of this national literacy campaign is to popularize reading as an essential, fun, and productive practice that will last a lifetime.

This endorsement asks that school libraries, community centers and other partners of GLP are urged to make literacy a significant part of February by hosting and coordinating Read-Ins in their communities. Hosting a Read-In can be as simple as bringing together friends to share a book, or as elaborate as arranging public readings and media presentations that feature professional African American writers.

To be counted as participants, simply:

  • Select books authored by African Americans;
  • Conduct your Read-In(s); and
  • Report your results by submitting the 2010 African American Read-In Host Report Card.

Download Information packet here

Host Report Card

We extend our thanks to Dr. Sandra E. Gibbs of the National Council of Teachers of English who first introduced GLP to this event!

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International Mother Language Day
February 21st

The majority of the world’s population speak two or more languages, and “mother language” is the one they learnt first. Languages play an important role in the integration process in all aspects of public life but especially education.

Education in many countries of the world takes place in multilingual contexts and so such societies must look towards a philosophy which balances and respects the use of different languages in daily life.

The United Nations’ (UN) International Mother Language Day is annually held on February 21 to celebrate languages spoken worldwide. It also observes the human right to use these languages.

National Day on Writing (USA)
October 20th

People in every walk of life, in every kind of work, and at every age write more than ever before for personal, professional, and civic purposes.

In light of the significance of writing in our national life, to draw attention to the remarkable variety of writing we engage in, and to help writers from all walks of life recognize how important writing is to their lives, October 20, 2010, will be celebrated as The National Day on Writing.  The National Day on Writing will

  • celebrate the foundational place of writing in Americans’ personal, professional, and civic lives. 
  • point to the importance of writing instruction and practice at every grade level, for every student and in every subject area from preschool through university
  • emphasize the lifelong process of learning to write and composing for different audiences, purposes, and occasions. 
  • recognize the scope and range of writing done by the American people and others.
    honor the use of the full range of media for composing. 
  • encourage Americans to write and enjoy and learn from the writing of others.

What is the National Gallery of Writing?

The National Gallery is a digital archive of compositionsaccessible to all through a free, searchable website—a living archive of thousands of examples of writing from across the United States.

  • Each writer of any age or occupation will be able to submit one composition per gallery. 
  • Writers will include with their composition information about themselves and the reasons they selected and submitted it to the Gallery.  
  • All sorts of compositions will be accepted, including (but not limited to) electronic presentations, blog posts, documentary clips, poetry readings, “how to” directions, short stories, memos, audio and video clips.

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National Family Literacy Day
November 1st

National Family Literacy Day, celebrated across the U.S., focuses on special activities and events that showcase the importance of family literacy programs. First held in 1994, the annual event is officially celebrated on November 1st, but many events are held throughout the month of November. Schools, libraries, and other literacy organizations participate through read-a-thons, celebrity appearances, book drives, and more.

For this event GLP volunteers will be involved with a variety of activities including taking advantage of Halloween “Trick or Treat” events in order to give away thousands of books to children along with an information brochure to their parents. Here is our main web page on Family Literacy>>.

You may help distribute information about family literacy using these resources from the Department of Education website: Shining Stars; and our GLP handout is here: LINK>>

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International Day for Tolerance
November 16th

The International Day for Tolerance is a time for people to learn about respecting and recognizing the rights and beliefs of others. It is also a time of reflection and debate on the negative effects of intolerance. Live discussions and debates take place across the world on this day, focusing on how various forms of injustice, oppression, racism and unfair discrimination have a negative impact on society.

Many educators use the theme of this day to help students in classrooms or in lecture theatres understand issues centered on tolerance, human rights and non-violence. Images of people of all backgrounds, cultures and ages, which are assembled into a collage, are also used for the International Day for Tolerance to get the message across to people about understanding tolerance regardless of differences.

World Philosophy Day
Third Thursday of November

World Philosophy Day is annually observed on the third Thursday of November to honor philosophical reflections around the world. It is an opportunity to make philosophical reflection accessible to all (professors and students, scholars and the general public, the young and the less young), thereby enlarging the opportunities and spaces for the stimulation of critical thinking and debate. on this day people should share thoughts, openly explore and discuss new ideas and inspire public debate or discussion on society’s challenges.

World Philosophy Day will take place this year on 18 November 2010. The theme this year is “Philosophy, cultural diversity and rapprochement of cultures.”

For more information use this LINK>>