Section 1

What Does Literacy Mean?

This section will give tutors the opportunity to explore literacy in their daily lives and review the latest statistics about literacy.

Activity B

Learning about literacy

In this activity, tutors will watch a video that gives them a closer look at literacy. They will then work together to express creatively what literacy means to them. They may even create a special statement on what literacy means to them.

Video, discussion, reflection

Materials and equipment

Flip chart and markers
Handout 5.1: Keep Literacy in Your Life
Other fact sheets from Literacy Alberta
TV, VCR and the video you choose to show
Choose from one of the following videos. If possible, choose a different one from the one you used or will use with Unit 2, Adults as Learners. You can find full information about each of these videos in the bibliography for this unit.

  • Learning for Life (20 minutes)
  • Literacy: The Hidden Problem (12 minutes)
  • Literacy Matters (15 minutes)

Preparation

Review the latest statistics on literacy. You can find them, among other places, on the websites listed in this unit’s Useful Resources section.
Watch the video of your choice.
Select and cue video.
Request the fact sheets from Literacy Alberta if you don’t have them already.
Copy the fact sheets you choose to use. Review them and note pertinent information to review with tutors.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

  1. Introduce the video and tell tutors what it is about. Watch it with them. Ask tutors if there was anything surprising to them or anything that stood out for them.
  2. Review the latest statistics on literacy. You could also go over a few of the fact sheets from Literacy Alberta.
  3. Review what tutors said in the previous activity about the meaning of literacy. On the flip chart, write the statement “Literacy is…” and have tutors brainstorm what literacy means to them.
    Examples:
    • Literacy is… reading to my children.
    • Literacy is… taking care of my health.
  4. Have tutors either draw or write their statements on the flip chart at the front of the room.
  5. As a group, develop a creative way to express the various ideas. For example, you could write a poem, create a poster for display or tell a story.
  6. Suggest to tutors that after they have worked with their learners for a while, they brainstorm the “Literacy is…” statement with their learner and share their ideas.
  7. Have tutors think of ways they can keep literacy in their lives. Give them the handout Keep Literacy in Your Life.