Good Attendance at Charles H. Lake's Family Literacy Nights

by Sara Schwabacher Associate, Cornerstone

Family Literacy Nights have been a great success at Charles H. Lake School in Cleveland, Ohio. Parents and children alike enjoy them tremendously. All summer long children asked about when they would start again. In the course of the past year, parent attendance has improved dramatically. What makes Charles Lake's Family Literacy Nights such a success?

• Consistent, predictable format
  • Celebratory atmosphere of the evenings
  • Children have lots to do
  • Fast paced
  • Excitement about books
  • Good length of time (5:30-7:00)
  • Pizza and ice cream dinner for all
• Opens with a family literacy presentation
  • Puppet Show
  • Magic Show
  • Children reading aloud was a big hit as the program for the year- end program
    • Children volunteer to read, selected their own book, practiced at home
• Stations were set up with activities and a book to take home at each
  • Velma Lewis (parent volunteer) had a table with games to do at home: Word Bingo (where everyone makes a sentence with the word once its been called), Word Wheel, Key Ring with word cards, Family reading night, Hangman with spelling words
  • Donna Sweeney (Cornerstone parent representative) had a table on rhymes; rhyming games, rhyming songs, box to collect rhyming words
  • Teacher led tables on sensory imagery
  • Tracy Martin (principal) relieved teachers at tables and serves pizza
• Parents were reminded about the Family Literacy Night by calls from other parents. These phone calls opened up doors and provided an opportunity for parent leaders to answer questions about Cornerstone
• Children's performances have become a part of all or most parent activities. A student band has been initiated for this year.
• Principal and teachers welcome parents all year long, not just for the Family Literacy Night.
  • Home Visits: Principal, teachers and assistants often initiate visits because there isn't a working phone in the house, child struggling academically, or other issues.
  • Teachers call parents to introduce themselves to families and invite them to visit classroom and get involved.
  • Parent Representative Velma Lewis edits a Cornerstone Parent Newsletter including tips and literacy activities for parents and children to do at home.

Parents Speak About Family Literacy Nights

Miss Donna Sweeney
Parent Representative

As a parent representative and educational aide in the Kindergarten classroom, I have enjoyed my part in the Cornerstone Family Literacy nights. I feel it has been of great benefit to Charles H. Lake School and families.

As a volunteer at the Family Nights I provided games and activities to parents of students K-2. These activities encourage parents to work with their children at home. They are geared to reinforce the literacy pieces the students are learning at school. These take home learning games help parents to make reading and learning fun and enjoyable for all involved. But there is another important part the Cornerstone Family Nights are accomplishing.

Cornerstone Family Nights are bringing together families with the school community. I have had the privilege to call and offer personal invitations to parents. This has given me the opportunity to build a relationship with parents. (I try to keep contact as positive as possible.)

The family nights have given parents the opportunity to see themselves as part of the learning process and that this process can be enjoyable. I have talked to many in the Community who have asked "when the next Family Night will be.” I have had children run up to me with their books from Cornerstone saying how much they "like them, and how they want more.”

Mrs. Velma Lewis
Parent Representative

Family Literacy Night from my perspective as a volunteer, participant, and parent, I feel is one of the best programs here at Charles H. Lake School.

Last year I started my station, and at my station I give the parents games, activities and tips I've involved my children in at home when it comes to literacy. I like the idea of inspiring another parent or family with my tips and ideas involving family togetherness as well as understanding their child or children's strengths and weaknesses.

This parent piece I think will enhance the child's willingness to learn and can reflect on his or her grades and improvement in their reading skills. Also the parent becomes involved in their child's ability to become good readers as well as having fun learning.

I hope that last year I helped with my tips, games and activities to do in the home. I hope to improve and/or strengthen the family's participation in making reading fun.