Creating Learning Partners: A facilitator’s guide for training effective adult literacy tutors

Section 1 Purpose of Reading

This section will help tutors understand that we read for different purposes and that we are trying to make sense of what we read.

Activity A

What we read

Option 1 Reflection, discussion
Why choose this option? You may want to choose this option if you have a limited amount of time. Materials and equipment Paper and pencils for tutors Flip chart and markers STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS Have tutors make a list of all the tasks they have accomplished in the last 4 hours that involved reading and exactly what reading was involved. Have them note beside each item on the list the purpose and reason of reading that particular item. For example, perhaps they read to get information, for pleasure, to help a child with homework or to prepare a meal. Write the following words on the flip chart: Task, Purpose and Reason. Ask tutors to share their list with the group. As they do, record their answers on the chart, showing the types of reading they did and the purpose for each of them. Based on the discussion, ask tutors why they think we read. Sum up by saying we read different items for different purposes. Ask tutors what we are trying to do when we read. Write their answers on the flip chart. If the following doesn’t come out of the discussion, then write on the flip chart “We read to make sense” or “We read for meaning.”

Option 1 Reflection, discussion

Why choose this option?

You may want to choose this option if you have a limited amount of time.

Materials and equipment

Paper and pencils for tutors
Flip chart and markers

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

Have tutors make a list of all the tasks they have accomplished in the last 4 hours that involved reading and exactly what reading was involved.
Have them note beside each item on the list the purpose and reason of reading that particular item. For example, perhaps they read to get information, for pleasure, to help a child with homework or to prepare a meal.
Write the following words on the flip chart: Task, Purpose and Reason.
Ask tutors to share their list with the group. As they do, record their answers on the chart, showing the types of reading they did and the purpose for each of them.
Based on the discussion, ask tutors why they think we read. Sum up by saying we read different items for different purposes.
Ask tutors what we are trying to do when we read. Write their answers on the flip chart.
If the following doesn’t come out of the discussion, then write on the flip chart “We read to make sense” or “We read for meaning.”

Option 2 Creative expression, discussion
Why choose this option? This activity creates the opportunity for movement and humour and moves beyond words to visual and kinesthetic forms of expression. You may want to use it if you have more time. Materials and equipment Large piece of newsprint for each tutor Magazines or other craft materials Flip chart and markers

Option 2 Creative expression, discussion

Why choose this option?

This activity creates the opportunity for movement and humour and moves beyond words to visual and kinesthetic forms of expression. You may want to use it if you have more time.

Materials and equipment

Large piece of newsprint for each tutor
Magazines or other craft materials
Flip chart and markers