« Previous Entries

Literacy

ISL E-news, Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: Association House of Chicago
January 27th, 2012 | Permalink | Comment?

This week the Illinois State Library spotlights Association House of Chicago.

A teenage couple and their baby joined the high school family literacy program operated by Association House. The couple wanted to complete their high school education and the baby attended the child education program while both parents attended classes. The parents studied hard, attended class regularly and sought additional academic help and support from the child education program staff. Staff helped the parents study for tests, proofread papers and complete research projects. Both parents attended PACT time (Parents and Children Together) before and after school, and faithfully attended and participated in weekly parent education workshops.

Neither parent had ever been to a library before they began participating in the family literacy program. They are now library cardholders and attend the library on their own time. The mother graduated from high school last year, the first in her family to receive a high school diploma, and plans to work while attending college. The father will graduate this year.

They are both committed to ensuring that their daughter continues to learn throughout her life with their support. Learning has truly become a family affair.
ILA Updates, Literacy, Reading, School Libraries
iREAD 2013 Summer Reading Program
January 26th, 2012 | Permalink | Comment?

The theme for the Illinois Library Association’s iREAD 2013 Summer Reading program is Have Book, Will Travel! Work has already begun on the 2013 iREAD Resource Guide, and the ILA is looking for ideas to share with other librarians and educators who use the iREAD program. The Resource Guide contains crafts, activities, games, art, reading lists, and much more for children, teens, and adults. If you have a project or resource to share, send it to the ILA. The deadline for submissions is February 28. Click here to submit your ideas.

Over the past 30 years, iREAD has grown to become a leader of Summer Reading Program development by providing libraries with all of the resources they need to promote, launch, and execute great reading programs. Increasingly, iREAD themes and programs are being used year-round in schools and literacy programs. For more information, call 877-565-1896 or visit here.
General, ISL E-news, Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: Sauk Valley Community College
January 20th, 2012 | Permalink | Comment?

This week the Illinois State Library spotlights Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon. A man in his early twenties was unemployed and struggled to fill out job applications. He contacted Project VITAL at the college and requested a tutor who could meet with him at the local library. When he began working with his tutor, he could barely write a simple sentence. After just six months of working two days a week with his tutor, he was able to get a job. He continues to improve his reading and writing skills and is planning to enroll in GED classes.
ISL E-news, Illinois State Library, Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: Robinson Public Library District
January 13th, 2012 | Permalink | Comment?

This week the Illinois State Library spotlights the Robinson Public Library District.

An adult learner entered the program at Robinson Public Library District with marginal literacy skills. He had been in special education classes, but dropped out of school during his freshman year. His attitude was one of defeat — he would seldom make eye contact, communicated little and had very little confidence in himself. The man attended tutoring sessions for a few months, but, unfortunately dropped out when he could no longer travel to classes.

After a year he decided to try again, and this time seemed more determined. During his year away, the man had looked for a job and was unable to obtain one because prospective employers told him he needed a GED. After working with a tutor, the man improved his reading and writing skills enough to begin studying for the GED test. After taking the GED test, he brought the results to the program staff to share his achievement. He had received a perfect score on the science test! Staff encouraged him to visit Lincoln Trail College to see what program might work for him. The man enrolled in a new program, Process Technology, and is now working as an intern at a local ethanol plant.
Grants, ISL E-news, Illinois State Library, Literacy
Deadline Approaching to Submit Penny Severns Literacy Grant Application
January 10th, 2012 | Permalink | Comment?

Adult literacy providers and public libraries may apply for FY12 Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy Grants through February 1, 2012. The online grant application and instructions are available on the ISL website.

Applicants will need a control and branch number to access the application. Please email Jo Anne Hughes at jhughes@ilsos.net to obtain your agency’s numbers.
ISL E-news, Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: John A. Logan College
January 6th, 2012 | Permalink | Comment?

This week the Illinois State Library spotlights John A. Logan College in Carterville. A family of four — mom, grandma, and two young girls — live together in a house that used to be a coal-mine shack. Home repairs are few, clothing is rarely new and meals are simple. Despite their dire situation, the family seems to thrive.

They manage with the help of parenting classes at John A. Logan that cover such topics as thrift store shopping, managing a grocery budget and finding assistance with home repairs. In spite of everything, the family never misses a family literacy activity. When field trips are offered, they view them as mini-vacations, since they have no money for vacations. The mother helps the girls with homework and plays board games with them. She also takes the girls to the library each week, and never misses a school program or teacher’s conference. Mom has a “can-do” attitude, never complains about her situation, and is an inspiration to others in the program.
ISL E-news, Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: Volunteers of America
December 22nd, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?

This week the Illinois State Library spotlights Literacy Volunteers of America-DuPage, Inc. in Naperville.

As a newcomer to the United States, this adult learner was shy and lacked confidence. At the age of 24 and with a young child, she knew she needed to improve her limited English-speaking skills. After being matched with a volunteer tutor, they practiced so she would be able to talk to her baby’s pediatrician. The woman learned how to telephone the doctor’s office to make an appointment and describe symptoms. They also worked on questions she might need to ask the doctor and what answers to expect.

Even though the woman had a part-time job, she wanted to learn how to fill out job applications and enhance her interview skills. Her tutor took her to the local mall to obtain several different employment applications. As her confidence grew, she decided to interview for a job at a local restaurant. After passing four tutorials and reading several documents, she was hired as a part-time employee. Nine months after entering the literacy program, she can now read to her child, converse on the telephone, speak English at work, use the computer, find information in the newspaper and has opened a bank account. The woman is on her way to a brighter future in her new country.
ISL E-news, Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: College of Dupage
December 16th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?

This week the Illinois State Library spotlights the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.

A mother of five children lives a few blocks from the school where literacy classes are held and walks to class each night with her four daughters. The woman’s job ends right before classes start, so she rushes to get to class because she knows that learning English is the key to improving her life and the lives of her children.

After much work, communication in English has become the norm for this family. All family members participate in class field trips. The mother especially enjoys lessons in the parent education component. The entire family is making improvements in their English speaking skills and in learning about their new community.
Grants, ISL E-news, Literacy
Penny Severns Literacy Grant Application Now Available
December 12th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?

Adult literacy providers and public libraries can begin applying for FY12 Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy Grants today, Monday, December 12. The online grant application and instructions are available on the Illinois State Library website.

Applicants will need a control number and branch number to access the application. Please email Jo Anne Hughes at jhughes@ilsos.net to obtain your agency’s numbers.

To access the grant application >>
To access the application instructions >>
ISL E-news, Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: Prairie State College
December 9th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?

This week the Illinois State Library spotlights Prairie State College in Chicago Heights.

A middle-aged African-American woman visited the Adult Literacy Institute at Prairie State College. When asked why she was seeking their help, the woman replied, “I don’t know how to read or write.” Then her composure broke and she said, “Please don’t laugh at me.” This continued to be her constant request throughout the intake process, but she was assured time and again that no such thing would occur.

After testing for placement, the woman’s reading and math skills were determined to be at a third-grade level, and her language skills at a second-grade level. She was placed in a small group with a volunteer tutor. In just a few months the woman was enjoying her classes and classmates. She has a great attendance record and puts forth her maximum effort. She is slowly improving and refuses to give up.

« Previous Entries

BlogJunction Illinois

about

search

Links

Categories

Archives Last 12 Months

Archives By Year

Pages

feeds

Meta

Copyright

Category

Literacy

ISL E-news, Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: Association House of Chicago

ILA Updates, Literacy, Reading, School Libraries

iREAD 2013 Summer Reading Program

General, ISL E-news, Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: Sauk Valley Community College

ISL E-news, Illinois State Library, Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: Robinson Public Library District

Grants, ISL E-news, Illinois State Library, Literacy

Deadline Approaching to Submit Penny Severns Literacy Grant Application

ISL E-news, Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: John A. Logan College

ISL E-news, Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: Volunteers of America

ISL E-news, Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: College of Dupage

Grants, ISL E-news, Literacy

Penny Severns Literacy Grant Application Now Available

ISL E-news, Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: Prairie State College