INNISFAIL - Family literacy is celebrated every January.
Chinook Center School in Innisfail was one of many across the country and in Central Alberta that put the focus on learning and literacy with a fun-filled day of activities and special guests on national Family Literacy Day, Jan. 27.
"It's our national Family Literacy Day event," said Patty Hollman, Grade 1 teacher at the school.
Now in its fourth year, the event encourages literacy by having the kindergarten to Grade 4 students dress as their favourite book characters, participating in reading sessions with local celebrities and enjoying other literacy activities throughout the day.
"We talk about this in December and the kids start to think about their favourite characters and books," said Hollman. "They spend all of January dissecting their book and really thinking about it. On Family Literacy Day we ask them to dress as their favourite character," she added, noting students present a project on the book and talk about their favourite characters and parts of the book.
Families are invited to join the fun during the hour-long lunch break.
"We've had families who dress up as well. They come in, eat lunch and listen to their children's projects as well as bring in favourite books of their own and share and read together while they're having lunch," she said.
In addition, several local celebrities took part in the school's activities and read books to children during the afternoon session.
"We have invited our local celebrities to come and share their love of reading with our kids. We rotate (kids) around to hear their favourite stories and have that opportunity to see professionals and grown-ups reading as well and see how important it is."
Hollman said all students enjoy the fun-filled day and look forward each year to dressing up as their favourite characters.
"When you have a child in Grade 4 who's been doing it for four years, every year they have a new character," said Hollman, adding that the family has a chance to celebrate literacy together. "It's a great way to share the love of literacy."
Patty Hollman, Grade 1 teacher at Chinook Center School
"It's a great way to share the love of literacy."
