Family Literacy Night

A Family Literacy Night is when a school hosts an evening of fun activities that engage families in supporting students' literacy. It's an opportunity to offer ideas and strategies to help parents/guardians nurture their children as readers outside of school. Hosting a Family Literacy Night is also a great way to build family-school connections. Having fun together builds community spirit!

• Meet with school leaders and PTSA members to discuss budget and choose a date. (Give yourself plenty of time to plan.)

• Establish a committee that includes library staff, classroom teachers, literacy specialists, the school Family Liaison, and parents. As you make plans in your committee meetings, choose someone to give updates at staff meetings.

• Determine if there is a budget to give out free books for all students/families who attend and/ or to purchase books for door prizes, drawings or any booth giving out prizes (include bilingual books.) Reach out to Library Services for sources of low-priced books. (Library Helpdesk 720.423.1842.)

• Know your audience, take into account cultural and language considerations.

Ideas to consider:

• Books and Jammies (Pajama Party)

• Camping Under the Stars

• Reading Gives You Super Powers

• Under the Sea

• Time Travelers

• Reading Olympics

• Literacy Luau

• Pirate Night (Arrgh!)

• Themes associated with holidays or seasons

• Themes based on a book title i.e. “If You Give a Pig a Party”

Depending on the number of volunteers you have, determine the number of activities you can manage and which activities will best engage your unique school community. Volunteers can be DPS staff, parents, and older students (perhaps even members of the larger community.)

Possible activities:

• Scavenger hunt

• Storytelling

• Dressing up as book characters

• Readers Theater presented by classrooms

• Showing of digital book commercials created by students

• Make and take craft tables – make your own journal and bookmark

• Make and take books (about a family story or retell a specific story)

• Photo booth

• Paperback book exchange (Book Swap Table) in a dedicated room where families can comfortably read together

• Reading Bingo where books are the prizes

• Pinata contest - have classrooms make/decorate pinatas that are voted on the night of the event

• Set up an area where you can videotape students and/or families talking about their favorite books or book characters (have media releases available)

• Include a few "just for the fun of it" entertaining games geared for kids of all ages

• For older students plan a book trivia game

• Have a ”Reading Tips for Parents” table set up where the librarian and/or reading teachers are available to discuss with parents ways to encourage reading in the home. Have a few handouts prepared that address strategies helpful to parents. (See Ready-Made Handouts for Parents below.) If possible, parents who visit this table can choose one free book for their family while quantities last (include bilingual Spanish books.) Don’t forget handouts in Spanish and other non-English languages (contact Multicultural Services Department for translations.)

• Issue a simple reading challenge to families with a reading log to keep track of books. The challenge can be as simple as parents read 4 books to kids and kids read 4 books to parents (customize depending on age group.) Include tips for a conducive, peaceful, and enjoyable reading environment in the home. Classes with at least 50% of students returning the Reading Challenge form get to have some kind of reward such as a popcorn or pizza party.

• Have laptops set up next to the “Reading Tips for Parents” table where a bilingual staff member can be available to show parents free online resources such as eBooks and databases provided by Library Services. Have materials available to promote these resources (contact Library Services Helpdesk to ask about flyers 720.423.1842.) Families who visit this table and check out an eBook can be entered in a drawing for a fun gift certificate.

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) has helpful literacy resources for parents. You can download handouts and share with parents during your Family Literacy Night.

• Go to: www.rif.org
• Choose Literacy Central from the top bar (optional - create a free account)
• Scroll down and choose the option marked "Parents"

There are 4 topics for you to explore all with downloadable PDFs:

• Helping Children to Read and Reading Activities - find handouts to support parents with reading tips and strategies
• RIF Literacy Activities - find great story sampler collections that motivate and encourage young readers
• Activity Calendars - link to digital resources and reading activities

All RIF resources are vetted and ready to go!

• Be realistic in your planning - consider budget and the number of staff/volunteers that will be available. For stations and/or booths, assign facilitators/managers to oversee.

• Decide on the location – auditorium, library, cafeteria, hallways? Create signs that can direct the community to where different activities/stations are located.

• If you are having an event with food, determine what types of food will be served (hot dogs, pizza) and supplies or equipment needed. Do you need to call your favorite pizza place well in advance to place your order?

• If you would rather keep the focus on reading and not eating, keep it simple with water, punch and cookies. Refreshments are always appreciated.

• Have tables set up for visitors to eat or socialize.

• Gather in one room at the beginning for a welcome by the principal, students or special guests.

• Purchase book bags (from vendors such as Demco.com) if students receive a prize or incentive at each station. You can customize bags with school or reading related themes.

• Ask teachers to decorate the school with student work.

• Have an information table where families can pick up flyers about school news, scheduled activities, reading initiatives, etc. Station a bilingual helper at this table. Provide a simple and quick feedback form. Locate this table near the main entrance. (Consider if flyers/forms need to be translated prior to event.)
  

• Provide an "Appreciation Station" where parents and students can stop to write a note of appreciation to teachers and staff.

• Have one or two greeters at the main door to welcome everyone. As people leave, your greeters can ask visitors to complete the feedback form.

• Work with your school Family Liaison for outreach

• Send home eye-catching announcements

• Put up posters in key places around the school

• Advertise on Social Media and the school newsletter

• Use your school marquee

• Send email or phone calls to parents

• P.A. announcements to get students and staff excited about the event

Examples of Flyers

• Schedule your school choir, band, or dance group to perform and entertain the "night of". If students have to show up, parents are more likely to attend.
  
• Having drawings or door prizes that are enticing.
  
• Send home a survey asking parents if they would like to help manage booths, etc.
  
• Music always gets the crowd excited and sets a fun atmosphere.
  
• Ask your neighborhood public library to host a table for library card sign-up and questions.
  
• If funds are available, you might consider contacting Community Resources to help you plan a literacy night. Sue Edwards and her team are experts at this!
  
• How to plan an Awesome Family Night With Miss B website here.
  

Email: libraryhelpdesk@dpsk12.org
Website: http://etls.dpsk12.org/library_services
Location: 1617 South Acoma Street, Denver, CO, USA
Phone: 720-423-1842