March is reading month! This year our reading month theme is - board games! What theme is your school using for reading month? And do you have a family night - if so, what type of evening do you plan with your families?

Back to School = Back to Family Literacy!

As we head into a new school year, let’s remember that literacy grows strongest when school and home work together.

Family literacy isn’t just about reading books—it’s about building language, curiosity, and a love of learning through everyday moments. 📖✨

Here are a few simple ways to weave literacy into your family’s daily life this fall:

Read Together – Even 10 minutes a day makes a difference.

Talk About Your Day – Conversation builds vocabulary and connection.

Write for a Purpose – Grocery lists, thank-you notes, and family calendars all count.

Share Stories – Tell family stories or make up your own adventures.

When families read, talk, and learn together, children’s confidence and academic success grow. Let’s make this year one where literacy thrives—in every classroom and every home. ❤️

What’s your favorite family reading tradition?

How do you include families as part of the end of year fun?

🎥 Family Book Trailer Challenge
What it is: Families work together to create a short video trailer for a favorite children’s book.
How to use: Share through Seesaw, Padlet, or Wakelet. Adds media literacy + excitement.
Our families utilized this as an extension after Reading Month in March.
How do you encourage students and their families to continue to celebrate reading - even after Reading Mont has ended?

200 FREE Voices to use with your students, families or friends! Make literacy learning joyful and engaging!
https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-10-1

How can we reassure parents that struggling with reading is not a reflection of their child's potential, but rather a natural part of the learning process?

Once a year our district partners with the local Great Start Family Coalition and we put on a Parent Academy - an evening where families can come to learn more about supporting their child/children at home to develop language and literacy skills. Local businesses provide supplies i.e. puppets, playdough, books etc. and parents rotate through interactive centers. In these centers they learn how to create reading spaces in their homes and so much more!
What are some effective ways to engage families in supporting their child’s literacy development at home?

Celebrating Reading Month with Families! Check out all of the FREE literacy activities at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-10-1-1

One of my favorite things to do as a family - to promote family literacy - has been to create a Holiday Family Story. Together, all 5 of us write a silly story that summarizes our experiences throughout the year. We begin with the same starting sentence each year and then each family member adds a sentence or paragraph. How do you incorporate family literacy fun into holiday celebrations?