Every year, my school hosts Literacy Lunch.
It is a time for families to come share in the love of reading, writing, and learning in classrooms, followed by a meal together in our cafeteria.
Literacy Lunch has sometimes been a vehicle for explaining English Language Arts curriculum, and shifts in standards, to parents. Mostly it’s a time for students and their families to collaborate on literacy activities. We’ve had poetry slams, writing cafés, and a “Step Write Up” carnival. We’ve invited families to SWiRL (speak, write, read, listen) and we’ve gone “wild” about reading (with the school decorated like a rainforest).
Even though it’s hosted in the middle of the day, Literacy Lunch remains one of our school’s best-attended events. Three days are designated: One for kindergarten and first grade, one for second and third, one for fourth and fifth. Some families come all three days to spend time with their children in different grade levels.
The comment we receive most often from parents: Thank you for this time with my child.
It tugs on the heartstrings, for a parent to tell you this.
When it came time to think of a theme for Literacy Lunch this year, part of my mind kept latching onto the idea of celebrating families themselves. They are, after all, the fabric of our school community, the thing that makes it unique. They are our greatest resource.
Then, in February, Two Writing Teachers ran a blog series on “Teaching Writing with a Social Justice Lens.” Co-author Kelsey Corter penned “A School Can Be the Change”, a breathtaking post on identity, culture, heritage, power, action, and the vital importance of honoring each other by sharing our stories. It was based on her school’s work and the book Being the Change: Lessons and Strategies to Teach Social Comprehension by Sara K. Ahmed.
I read these introductory lines of Kelsey’s over and over:
More than something we do, school can be the place where literacy is a way of living; a means for understanding the world and our place in it, that which shapes perceptions and molds identities.
The words turned round and round in my head:
Where literacy is a way of living
Literacy . . . living
—Living literacy.
“Well, that’s it,” I announced to my colleagues. “That’s my vote for the theme of this year’s Literacy Lunch.”
For, in truth, while the children are growing as readers and writers, their stories, all of our stories, are unfolding each day that we live; our families are a fundamental part of that. Every one is unique, every one valuable.
And so it was agreed upon, and the children got to work on Living Literacy: Celebrating Me in Pictures and Words.
It began with them tracing their hands to make flowers, one for each homeroom—a whole garden of beautiful, diverse flowers.
Teachers and grade levels planned identity-related activities for students to share with families:
Many thanks to my colleagues for this annual collaborative effort.
To our families: THANK YOU for coming, for sharing, for being a vital part of the story we live each day. Be happy. Hug. Have fun. Inspire. Love. Sing.
And thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for the ever-flowing wellspring of inspiration, from which I drew the idea for this year’s theme.
My cup runneth over.
This looks so amazing! Congratulations on taking a small idea and creating a wonderful celebration for kids and their families.
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It’s a big & joyful event; the family turnout and their appreciation amaze me.
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I’m in love. Thank you for reshaping this quote from Kelsey’s post. I love how your community came together around literacy. This is just the best! ❤️
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Thank you, Jessica! It’s such a festive, buoyant event – we try to take it deeper each year. The joy in the building is palpable.
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Wonderful, those days will be precious memories for all who came and took part and also those who watched. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you!
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What an amazing day for the students at your school. It certainly shows engagement in the photos you shared as well as your descriptions. Thanks for sharing with such great detail.
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It’s great fun; so exciting for all of us 😊
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What a wonderful, meaningful way to celebrate words! I especially like the idea of the whole school taking part, and that it was in the middle of the day. Tucking away this post for future inspiration!
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You would think we wouldn’t have a lot of turnout in the middle of the day, but it’s huge! It’s such a fun day – and so important, as far as building community and valuing everyone.
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Thank you for sharing this in such detail – so many wonderful ideas! It sounds like it was a truly collaborative, celebratory event. Tugged on your reader’s heartstrings as well.
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It’s really become part of our culture – families look forward to it each year. Thank you, Clare ❤️
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Wow, what an awesome celebration! I love all the detail and pictures (and plan to “borrow” a few)! What lucky kids!
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Feel free to borrow anything – so glad you enjoyed. Thank you!
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Oh Fran, this is awesome. I am so grateful I opened your post today. I have tagged this slice and may be back in contact with you for further details. What wonderful ideas! Thank you.
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Will be happy to share any time, Christine! And thank you!
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Thrilled to know Kelsey’s post inspired you!
I adored having the opportunity to have a chance to peek inside of your literacy lunch. There were some incredible things happening there.
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It was a thrilling event, Stacey. Such positive energy in the air, such camaraderie, such enthusiasm for activities and the sharing. All things we want to sustain! Thank you. 🙂
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I love so much about this post– the connection to Kelsey’s of course– but the joy that you’ve captured of both students and parents is so, so strong! I could have stopped at hand bouquets, and then… oh wow. Wow, wow, wow!
Thank you for sharing, Fran.
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Thank you, Melanie – joy is definitely the word. I tried to meet, greet, get everywhere I could to absorb it. 🙂
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What an amazing celebration, Fran! Thanks for sharing. I will pass this on to others.
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Thank you so much, Alice. The atmosphere was so positively charged; we want to keep that going!
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Wow Fran. That sounds fantastic. I know these parents will be and are committed to literacy because of your efforts.
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I love the idea! Thank you so much for sharing! I can see that it takes quite a bit of organising but clearly it’s worth it. The pics share the joy of celebration.
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