Assignment 3: Family Literacy Kit (Group Assignment)
Due Date: Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 9:30 pm
Worth: 20%
Creating a Virtual Literacy Resource Kit for Family Engagement
Objective:
This assignment provides an opportunity to design a comprehensive virtual literacy resource kit to support family involvement in children’s early literacy development. The kit aims to offer caregivers meaningful information, diverse literacy resources, engaging activities, and community connections to foster language and literacy skills in young children. Early childhood professionals acknowledge the significant impact of family involvement on a child’s education. Research has shown that children with engaged families are more successful in their educational journey (Michael, S., 2013, p.1).
Evolving from the 2020 global pandemic, families are seeking ways to enrich their children’s learning experiences at home. As such, this assignment empowers you to contribute to this cause by creating an engaging virtual literacy resource kit.
Instructions:
In groups of 4, plan and assemble a virtual literacy resource kit that caregivers can easily access online. The goal is to provide parents and/or guardians with diverse literacy resources, books, games, and activities that will promote language and literacy development in young children.
Address the following questions to guide your group’s preparation and presentation:
- How can you generate interest and motivation for the resource kit?
- What strategies will you employ to introduce the kit in a manner that avoids being perceived as additional email clutter?
- Which communication platforms or designs (videos, PPT, Prezi, Infographics, etc.) will you use to convey the intended literacy information effectively?
- What theme will you design your kit around (author study, nature-based play, exploring different cultures)?
- What hands-on activities or experiences can you introduce to support literacy?
- How will you encourage participants’ engagement? Consider tools like feedback/evaluation forms for families.
- How do the activities align with participants’ values and beliefs?
- How does the kit promote diversity and inclusivity?
Required Components in the Literacy Resource Kit:
- Introduction letter/Parent information sheet outlining early literacy concepts and home literacy practices. Support information with references to research and readings – consider your audience and use appropriate terms that are easily understood.
- Working link and instructions for a free Calgary Public Library membership signup.
- At least one publicly available book for family reading. Include a read-aloud performed by a group member(s) with a link to free access to the book online.
- A minimum of one hands-on activity related to the chosen book/big idea. Incorporate multiple modes of engagement.
