A guide to maximizing your literacy program for teachers and teacher-librarians.

1. Books of Wonder
a shelf of adventure
a map to explore
a vacation
a magician’s spell
a car that takes you anywhere
a hole that you fall into
a magic paradise filled with
words
a potion that transforms you
a trap
a meeting place
a shark swallowing you up
an ocean of ideas
a game of hero versus villian
a jumprope
a battle
a romance
a good friend
by Andrea Kerr
@andCreative
11 Ways to Support
Literacy
Magical Metaphors by 3/4K

2. From book selection to self-
assessment, the goal is to
improve - continuously.
Literate learners are life-long
learners.
GROWTH
01:

3. Literacy is understanding the
reasons why we communicate.
Empower students to draw,
write, photograph, or record
their learning. Who will their
audience be? Share their
stories and voices for a real
purpose.
STORYTELLING
02:

4. Literate learners are using
technology, and using
technology effectively means
doing more than consuming
and lurking about. Students
andteachers needtoget messy
and make stuff.
CREATION
03:

5. Real people read and write in
the real world. Observe your
public library or photo
documentthemanyexamples
within walking distance.
Invite an author, blogger,
news editor,graphic designer,
or guest reader to share in
person or via Skype.
CONNECTIONS
04:

6. Observe and reflect on the
ways in which your students
demonstrate literacy. Record
what they learn, how they
grow, and what they are
wondering about. Promote
literacy using positive
examples of what they can do.
DOCUMENTATION
05:

7. Do all of the books need to be
on shelves? Think of unusual
places to display and share
books: beside the photocopier,
in the principal's office, along
side the milk line... Make a
point of taking students
outside with their books, or
wherever they find joy.
PLACES TO READ
06:

8. Literate learners are
constantly seeking the answers
to their questions. Support
students with the research and
critical thinking skills they
need to uncover relevant and
useful information.
INQUIRY
07:

9. When students find a book or
resource theylove,encourage
them to pass it on. When a
group of students share a
passion or interest,help them
collaborate and build on their
knowledge. Book reviews,
trailers, chats, and clubs are
perfect forums for sharing.
COLLABORATION
08:

10. Your enthusiasm and passion
for literacy and learning is a
critical motivator for students.
Model and be transparent
about your own reading and
writing habits and challenges.
Be inclusive of a wide range
of abilities and interests. Be
sure to tell your students how
they have inspired you.
INSPIRATION
09:

11. Think multi-literacies.
Support and engage learners
with a diverse range of
resources - from comics and
memes to stop-motion and
Youtube. Don't replace the
books, of course, just make
room for alternate ways of
communicating.
EXPANSION
10:

12. Make your classroom and
school library a place for
literacy to flourish. Highlight
the reading and writing in
every subject. Choose
unforgettable picture books
and mentor texts to read
aloud to your students, display
them, and circle back to their
themes and impact
throughout the year.
INTERIOR DESIGN
11:

13. Photos by Andrea Kerr
http://blogs.hpedsb.on.ca/qvic/
akerr/2012/09/22/magical-
metaphors/
http://www.teachthought.com
/featured/25-ways-schools-
can-promote-literacy-
independent-reading/
Sources