Cultural Community Outreach Event:

Passport to Literacy
Ms. de la Cruz TESOL 507 January 13, 2014 Mrs. Cindy Perez

Passport to Literacy Night

Multicultural Literacy Night: Activities inspired by diverse cultures and that incorporate rich, multicultural texts. Activities demonstrate fun ways to develop literacy:
Reading directions of ethnic recipes and cooking Games Arts and crafts Creative expressions through music and art Activities will be spread throughout designated areas of the school. Families will receive a Literacy Passport, which will be stamped as they participate in a culturally responsive activity.

Passport to Literacy Objectives

Students and families feel pride in their cultural identities. Promote self-respect and respect for multiple cultures and perspectives. Build connections within the school and amongst all stakeholders. Culturally responsive curriculum: celebrate diversity and literacy. Emphasize the power of literacy and share strategies for home. Strengthen interconnectedness of the world: Raise funds to share the gift of literacy with Global Pen Pals from around the world.

Passport to Literacy Activities

Folks songs reflective of different cultures Arts and crafts inspired by cultures or multicultural literature

Multicultural Folktales
Games from around the world Storytelling by guest readers

Scholastic book fair

A Taste of our world Dance and music performances

Displays of student projects related to different cultures

Booths for community businesses and organizations

Strategies for Including K-12 Students

Collaborate on in-class group projects.

Raise funds to buy books for class Global Pen Pals.

Perform or present: sing, dance, Readers Theater, cooking demonstrations. Create displays sharing elements of different cultures, which will be on exhibit. Help run activities such as art projects, crafts, welcoming guests, handing out event materials, directing the flow of traffic, and being MC at performances. Different classrooms across the school can collaborate based on interest.

Personalized invitations for family members and neighbors. Design posters to promote the event. Decorate the school for the event.

Strategies for Including Parents

Brainstorm ideas for activities Be a guest reader Sing or tell a folk tale or folk song Set up/decorate the school Create display about your culture with your child Run an activity, ie. art, craft, cooking, games Bring food to share Contribute a recipe Promote event within the community Ask businesses for donations Design and/or distribute flyers Help run the book fair Welcome visitors Pass out event materials

Attend and receive strategies to use with your children, activity ideas, freebies, and connect with the school and the community.

Strategies for Including Community Members

Distribute flyers to community residents and organizations to attend as well as participate. Post flyers throughout the neighborhood, including the public library and local businesses and organizations. Invite representatives from the public library to speak, be a guest reader, bring examples of quality multicultural literature, and share literacy strategies. Community arts centers and organizations will be invited to perform and to have a table to promote their services. Donate supplies or funds. Donate to World Literacy Fund to provide books to the schools Global Pen Pals.

Strategies for Including District Leaders

District leaders will be asked to speak to parents and children about the importance of literacy and our focus on culturally responsive curricula.
They will be invited to participate as guest readers, run activities, spend time enjoying multicultural books with small groups of students, or share any of their particular talents.

District leaders will be also be welcome to just attend and become familiar with our school and community and to be aware of our efforts to involve all stakeholders.

Strategies for Including Local Businesses

Local businesses can donate funds, food, supplies, books, or other materials for the event.

They can donate to our World Literacy Fund to benefit our Global Pen Pals.
Tables will be set up in the hallway to promote their businesses. Business owners will become familiar with the community and develop relationships with potential customers.

We will create a partnership for future school events.

They can come out an enjoy a night of singing, dancing, reading, and eating in the neighborhood!

Event Venue

Funding and Donations

School Fundraising Committee
Book Worm Angels program at Open Books Secretary of State and the Illinois Center for Books Illinois Federation of Teachers and First Book Donations of food and supplies from local businesses

Event Materials
Posters and flyers to promote the Passport to Literacy event Supplies for art, games, and cooking activities Examples of Multicultural literature Scholastic Book Fair books and materials Parent Resources: suggested Multicultural books, songs, recipes, and activities to try at home (see Appendix A).

Passports and stickers/stampers

Map of the venue with activities listed

Cultural artifacts and student displays

Increasing Global Perspectives

Teach essential concepts:
Self-affirmation Empathy Interconnectedness Interdependence Co-Responsibility Multiple perspectives Celebration of diversity Agents of change

Culturally Responsive Teaching

Passport to Literacy Night will incorporate the following principles of culturally responsive teaching (Chartock, 2010): Utilization of diverse learning strategies Positive perspectives on parents and families of culturally and linguistically diverse students Cultural sensitivity Culture is both communal and personal; so is literacy. Bridging the two can enhance multicultural awarenessto promote cultural sensitivity within the community while also creating opportunities to celebrate differences and experiences (Dominguez, 2012).

References
Brown, S. C., & Kysilka, M. L. (2009). What every teacher should know about multicultural and global education. Boston, MA: Pearson. Chartock, R. K. (2010). Strategies and lessons for culturally responsive

teaching: A primer for K12 teachers. Boston, MA: Pearson.

Dominguez, G. (2012). Multiculturalism happens: targeting multicultural literacy in libraries. Programming Librarian. Retrieved from

http://www.programminglibrarian.org.
Reading is Fundamentals 2012-2013 Multicultural Book Collection. Retrieved from Reading is Fundamental website: http://www.rif.org.

Appendix A
Sample of one Parent Handout

Retrieved from Reading is Fundamental website:

http://www.rif.org