The Literacy Update ~ No. 2

The Newsletter of PEI Volunteers for Literacy. Fall 2006. PO Box 20151 Charlottetown PE C1A 9E3
Telephone 368-4695 Fax 368-3269. Toll Free 1-866-741-5683
Email: peivol@isn.net Home Page: www.nald.ca/peivol

Who are we? What do we do?

PEI Volunteers for Literacy have been volunteering in elementary schools for over 13 years as Project L.O.V.E.; and as BOAST volunteers in intermediate and high schools for about five years.

In 35 schools across PEI, more than 250 very committed (mainly retired) older volunteers help students with their school work in various areas. In the elementary program, help is usually in that most important area, reading.

PEI Volunteers for Literacy go to their school at least once a week, spending between an hour and a whole morning or afternoon in the school. We usually help one student at a time, listening and coaching them with words, reading aloud to model good pronunciation and expression for them, helping with classroom projects or catching up on missed assignments.

Teachers whose students work with the volunteers all agree: Their students benefit greatly from this help, gaining self-confidence through the interest shown in them by our volunteers.

Workshops Planned for Volunteers

Did you ever wonder just how reading is being taught to our youngest readers these days? Does it seem to you that they don’t teach children phonics - or heavens, even the alphabet! - the way they used to?

Last Spring a number of teachers presented workshops on how reading is taught now, and how volunteers and parents can help with the process.

Along the way they were able to dispel some of the myths about phonics and the alphabet, and they showed a number of other great strategies which children must learn to become the good readers that our increasingly literate world needs.

By popular demand, these workshops are being repeated this fall. Do try to attend - the presenters do a great job of making the material easy to understand. Along the way you’ll probably hear some wonderful stories from them about the good work that you and your fellow volunteers do to help them in their jobs!

Please call our office to register, and invite anyone you think might be interested, including parents of kindergarten or Grade One students you know- they are very welcome too.

Alberton Elementary School October 3, 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Athena Consolidated School, Summerside October 5, 1:00 - 2:30 pm.

West Kent Elementary School, Charlottetown October 12, 1:00 - 2:30 pm.

Please call to register for the workshop of your choice, either the Charlottetown number (368-4695) or the toll-free number (1-866-741-5683).

Remember, volunteers are eligible for mileage reimbursement!