Last week we had our first Family Academy at a local community college. Our local United Way sponsored this amazing event and a local theater group 'sang a story'! It was so amazing - what ways do you tie in community groups with family fun?
Family Literacy Tip: Label the House!
Here is something you can share with your families!
Did you know that you can turn your home into a literacy-rich environment?
One simple way is to label everyday objects! Write the name of common items around your home—like door, fridge, bed, or chair—on colorful labels. Stick them in places your child can easily see. Encourage your child to read the labels aloud during daily routines. Labeling helps children recognize words in context and build early reading skills. It also helps them make connections between print and real-life objects. Try it today and watch your child’s vocabulary and print awareness grow—one label at a time!
#FamilyLiteracy #EarlyReaders #PrintAwareness #ReadingAtHome #LiteracyFun
This week our local United Way is sponsoring a Family Academy night as part of their/our School Readiness plan.
Fall 2025 – "Supporting School Readiness at Home"
There will be about 5 stations for families to learn and take home 'tools' for their at home 'toolboxes'.
Events like these not only foster school readiness skills in young children but also strengthen the school-family partnership that is so important for student success.
How do you support families in your community?
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?
🎥 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?
🌱 "Story Roots" Project
What it is: Families trace a favorite story or folktale from their cultural or linguistic background.
How to use: Students share the origin, language, or meaning behind the story and retell it (via video, audio, drawing, or writing).
Bonus: Builds home-school connections and honors multilingualism.
This is one of the projects our upper elementary students are using with their families.
What unique projects are families in your area doing?
We had a late Reading Month celebration due to snow and ice storms followed by spring break. Last night we met with families and shared all kinds of fun reading and math alternatives to common board games. Here is the Google file with a few of the FILE FOLDER games we shared! Feel free to share them, print them etc!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vw2EFbC-XW6n4pbOkDU5WyU0Uvu4SCWC?usp=sharing
How did you celebrate reading month with families this year?
Celebrating Reading Month with Families! Check out all of the FREE literacy activities at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-10-1-1
Did you know that there are FREE early literacy interactive apps available to caregivers, teachers, and families at www.ginapepin.com?
200 FREE Voices to use with your students, families or friends! Make literacy learning joyful and engaging!
https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-10-1
This year our school is using the theme - board games for reading month. We all design and create board games on our classroom doors. We make them interactive so that students and families can enjoy them!
My door is based on the game Mad Gab - and I used the sentences from UFLI to create this fun activity!
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?
Michigan Department of Education shares several resources for family literacy and home to school connections. It is entitled: Family Engagement for Literacy. Here are a few of the documents included:
Supporting Families in the Essential Practice of Read Alouds; Sharing Why the Read Aloud Is an Essential Practice With Families
Does your state department of education share valuable resources you can use to collaborate and build understanding with families?
https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/academic-standards/literacy/family-engagement-for-literacy
