3 ways our community is advancing early literacy this September
Natalie Appleton
What does it mean to a child if they can’t read? What is the role we can all play in raising readers? Find out how our club—and the initiatives we support—has been taking important steps to promote early childhood reading this month.
3 ways our community is advancing early literacy this September
As we approached International Literacy Day on Sept. 8, there was a flurry of activity among organizations that foster and advocate for early childhood reading—including the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown and the Left Unread movement that we support.
Here is an overview of just some of the ways we and others have been taking action—and how you can get involved.
1. Left Unread Storybooth
The Left Unread Storybooth campaign launched Sept. 6 with a collection of videos that asks simple but important questions to those who've been a part of helping local children learn to read.
As you may know already from our role as stewards of Calgary Reads Big Book Sale, Left Unread is a movement that continues to create urgency around the need for early literacy and early learning investment and understanding in Calgary and Alberta.
Through the illuminating, heartfelt and hopeful voices of those featured in Storybooth videos, Left Unread hopes to shed a light on both the struggle and the opportunity in helping more children learn to read by Grade 3. This is also a meaningful chance to help our community discover the network of resources already available.
Many of those interviewed work at Calgary agencies that support Calgary children and families, and many filmings took place at the recent Calgary Reads Big Book Sale, where proceeds fund early literacy initiatives such as Left Unread.
Please take a moment to watch the Left Unread Storybooth series as it rolls out—and if you’re on social media, please find @leftunreadab and share the Left Unread Storybooth posts on social media.
Learn more about local resources and advocacy at www.leftunread.ca and read the article specifically about the StoryBooth in this newsletter.
2. National Literacy Framework Pre-budget Submission
Rotary Club of Calgary is among nearly 30 organizations that have joined forces to suggest a National Literacy Framework as part of a joint federal pre-budget submission.
Together, we're proposing robust literacy policies that will ensure all Canadians have essential literacy skills, address systemic barriers, and support well-funded, inclusive literacy programs. We aim to make literacy a key driver of growth, inclusion, and empowerment.
Stay tuned as we continue to push for policies that will make literacy accessible to all Canadians in the next few months.
Read the pre-budget submission here
3. Big Mentors, Book Bank Donation Days and more
One of the Calgary Reads Big Book Sale’s major proceed recipients is Book Bank—which ensures more children have access to their very own books through a network of agencies and Little Red Reading House.
On the first Saturday of every month (except near Big Book Sale season) Book Bank hosts a children’s book donation day at Shedpoint, where it’s located. Last week saw one of its best donation days. Thank you if you were among those who dropped off gently used children’s books.
Next Book Bank donation day is Saturday, Oct. 5! (see the article about volunteering at this event to be part of the excitement!)
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Many of you already know how fulfilling and impactful it can be to volunteer as a mentor. If you’re interested in playing a pivotal role in the life of a child, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area is looking for mentors!
As part of your mentorship with BBBS Calgary, you can spend time reading 1-1 with mentees so they can become confident readers by Grade 3.
BBBS Calgary was one of our 2023 Big Book Sale proceed recipients, and this organization is helping to drive the early literacy network we are supporting to advance literacy outcomes for local children.
Interested in learning more or signing up? Visit ICanMentor.org