Middle School Family Literacy Initiative Partner Spotlight
Susan Brady is a middle school reading specialist at Heritage Middle School and has hosted several family literacy events including a previous Hawaiian themed event through RIF’s MSFLI. In this Q&A, Susan shares how she has been able to create and sustain successful family literacy events. Read below or download the PDF.
Q: A successful family literacy event involves active participation from families. How have you ensured your attendance increased each year?
A: We sent out bright invitations and posted them around the school in three different languages. We also put the flyer on the school website and Class Dojo. I had teachers “talk it up” in class, and some offered extra credit for attending the event. I offered a secret prize to the first 30 students that came (a stress pineapple – BIG hit!). We tried to get the older students to encourage the younger students: you know how younger students think that the 8th graders are just the BEST! When students arrived, they guessed how many candy sharks and mermaid tails were in jars. The closest guesses got to keep the candy! We also make a big deal about dressing up, making memories with our backdrops, and setting up multiple classrooms throughout the school to host activities for students to do with their families. Here are some photographs from the night of the event!
Q: Research demonstrates that food is an important component for family events. How did you all secure food for your event?
A: My committee and I discussed a variety of food options. This year we went with 1) Hawaiian rolls plain and with spinach dip, not pork, to consider the religious beliefs of some families, 2) fish crackers and popcorn in bags decorated with hibiscus flowers, 3) tropical fruit cups, and 4) water bottles. We added Hawaiian stickers on the bottles for a little flair! Last year we had a movie/Hollywood theme and had boxed theater candy and popcorn. When students arrived, they guessed how many starburst candies were in jars. We had our cafeteria staffers fix all of the food, but we also wanted to get community involvement, so we got an ice cream cart to sell tropical popsicles (they are right across the street from our school!).
Q: We learn best through collaboration. Any other information/advice you may want to share for other sites to host successful family literacy nights?
A: Get a committee together and start planning EARLY! We had our first meetings during the first week of September to plan for November 4th. EVERYONE helped! People researched their own ideas and we met to trim and expand. When activities were decided, each teacher found materials on Amazon and sent me their order. I also suggest inviting local libraries. One made it, but one could not. In the past, we have had the principal from the local high school come and read books. One year we also did Men and Books; Dads, brothers, uncles, grandpas (etc.) came with students and we had different careers and ages represented throughout the event to engage students with reading. The major came too! We all wore fake mustaches. One year, we dressed up in choir robes and sang R-E-A-D-I-N-G to the tune of R-E-S-P-EC-T. That was a hoot! We are already thinking about next year!
Download the PDF copy of this Q&A and a sample motivational activity for a family literacy night to share with your community.