The Ottawa-Carleton Coalition for Literacy is proud to announce the publication of Literacy Volunteer Resources. This is a comprehensive package designed to meet every trainer’s dream! The Trainer’s Manual contains everything needed to customize a training program for literacy tutors. The training is interactive and varied, using icebreakers, case studies, group work, and assignments. Handson activities provide tutors the opportunity to consolidate their newly acquired skills. The Trainer’s Manual also has suggestions for organizing, preparing, administering, and evaluating the training.

In addition to the Trainer’s Manual, Literacy Volunteer Resources includes three other useful documents: Information Package for Participants, Managing the Volunteer Process and Literacy Volunteer Opportunities.

Community Literacy of Ontario (CLO) has been conducting research into volunteer training issues. In the course of their research they reported that they had come across two exemplary resources: Literacy Volunteer Resources and the Handbook for Literacy Tutors, both published by the Ottawa-Carleton Coalition for Literacy. Thanks to special funding support from the National Literacy Secretariat (who also generously provided the funding to produce both resources), CLO was able to make a time-limited offer to community based programs and regional literacy networks in Ontario to purchase one or both resources at 50% off the regular price. The offer ended January 31.

If you would like to find more about purchasing Literacy Volunteer Resources or the Handbook for Lit-eracy Tutors, contact Grass Roots Press at 1-888-303-3213 or check their web site at: http://www.literacyservices.com

For more information on the OCCL :
107-211 Bronson, Ottawa ON K1R 6H5
Tel. (613) 233-3232; Fax (613) 233-0299
abcline@occl.ca    http://www.occl.ca/

Here are some suggestions for reading aloud to children.

• Make reading books an enjoyable experience. Choose a comfortable place where the children can sit near you. Be enthusiastic about reading. Show the children that reading is an interesting & rewarding activity.
• Read to children frequently. Establish regular times for reading during the day, & find other opportunities to read.
• Help children to learn as you read. Offer explanations, make observations, & help the children to notice new information. Explain words that they may not know. Point out how the pictures in a book relate to the story. Talk about the characters’ actions & feelings.
• Ask children questions as you read. Ask questions that help children connect the story with their own lives or that help them to compare the book with other books that they have read.
• Encourage children to talk about the book. Have a conversation with the children about the book you are reading. Answer their questions. Welcome their observations, & add to what they say.

[This article was taken from the edinfo listserve, May 12, 2002 (US Dept. of Education).]