Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Carlsbad Library :: Literacy Services :: Comprehension Strategies

Comprehension Strategies
Think-Aloud Strategy by Dr. Pat Campbell
Learning Connection: Nov/Dec 2016

The think-aloud strategy is intended to help readers examine and develop reading behaviors and strategies.  Studies have shown that poor readers are weak in five areas related to comprehension: making predictions, visualizing, linking with prior knowledge, monitoring, and self-correction.  Good readers do these strategies automatically.  New readers need to be taught how to do them.

The following are “active reading” skills you can teach your learner to help them improve their comprehension.  Model these skills by thinking aloud as you read, then have the learner try it.

What do active readers do when they read?
 Monitor their comprehension: Ask yourself questions as you read.
 Relate information to prior knowledge: Make connections with what you already know.
 Make inferences: Figure things out based on experiences.
 Made Predictions: Ask yourself what do you think will happen next?
 Visualize: Picture the story in your mind.
 Identify main ideas and highlights: Ask yourself what is the story about?
 Note important details: Write down meaningful items from the story.
 Skim and scan: Look through the text to find important information.

Ask the Help Desk for a handout on other comprehension ideas. READ MORE @

Monday, December 19, 2016

Azusa Library :: Love toRead? :: Pass it on by Becoming a Tutor

Love to read? Pass it on by becoming a tutor
SGV Tribune: 12.17.2016 by Anissa Rivera

I am a big believer in small joys. My oldest son was always an enthusiastic reader, devouring books on dinosaurs and later, Thomas the Tank Engine and anything by Eric Carle.

I thought my little offspring was growing up so erudite. Yeah, right.

When he was 6, he read the word “butler,” and promptly fell into paroxysms of glee.

“But-ler! Alfred is Batman’s BUT-LER!” he hollered. He couldn’t believe he had discovered a word that contained the forbidden term “butt” (his proper mama always told him to say “bottom” instead).

The memory delights us to this day, even though his literary tastes now run less along DC Comics and more into Gabriel Garcia Marquez. (Thanks to Mr. Erb’s English class.)

We are people of the book, as journalist and science fiction writer Cory Doctorow once said. And it’s hard for us to imagine life without them.

Cathay Reta is working hard to make our tribe of readers increase. Reta, adult literacy coordinator at Azusa City Library, hopes to train more tutors for its literacy programs. She works with the Foothill Learning Alliance, a new nonprofit formed to advocate, increase community awareness and raise funds for The Literacy Programs at the Azusa City Library.

Reta is connected to other libraries that offer basic literacy programs such as those in Glendora, Covina, Monrovia, Altadena and Monterey Park.  READ MORE @

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Christmas :: Literacy | ESL | ELL | Writing | Vocabulary | Reading | Books | Tutor Resources

Tweet – Tweeter – Tweetest
Superlatives from SCLLN

Is everybody ready for this year's Jólabókaflóð
(Christmas Book Flood)? #books #literacy



50 Holiday Related Activities for Language Learners






Christmas Crossword 2016 goo.gl/D0ev7e Test your knowledge of #Christmas vocabulary with this fun crossword #ESL #ELT



Here's a great lesson based on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol": ow.ly/VFGZY #ESL #EFL #TESOL via…

@tutordidact  Dec 13


We're getting ready for Christmas. #english #vocabulary #christmas



Friday, December 16, 2016

Ruth Colvin, the Mother of the Adult Literacy Movement, Turns 100 on December 16

Ruth Colvin, the Mother of the Adult Literacy Movement, Turns 100 on December 16

Colvin has dedicated more than 50 years of her life to literacy, and shows no signs of stopping.
PR Web: 12.14.2016

“To many people the word “illiteracy” prompts images of downtrodden, starving people in third world countries. But illiteracy in America? How can that be possible? Our tax money provides schooling for every child.” These thoughts were expressed by Ruth Johnson Colvin in 1960. But when Colvin saw a 1961 newspaper article on the US Census figures that noted her hometown of Syracuse, New York had over 11,000 people who could not read, she knew something needed to be done. "Not in Africa. In my city. An educational city," Colvin said. “If I don’t do something, who will?”


Her life was transformed as she undertook the necessary steps needed to help correct the situation. Colvin determined that traditional classroom methods would not work and instead focused on the development of community networks that empowered adult learners. The organization developed effective tutor training programs to teach basic literacy and English as a second language with an ongoing support system.

Colvin earned support from Syracuse’s Church Women United (CWU) organization to sponsor a local literacy tutoring effort. She recruited volunteers and set up an office in her home’s basement. Under her leadership, the literacy volunteer movement quickly spread across the United States, and the national organization, Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc., was incorporated in 1972. Ruth and her husband, Robert, also spent more than 50 years traveling the world together to provide literacy training in more than 60 countries at the invitation of ministries, governments and universities.

During her more than five decades of literacy work, Colvin has published nine books, and visited or worked in more than sixty countries. She has been the recipient of nine honorary doctorates, and in 1987 she was given the highest award for volunteerism in the United States, the President’s Volunteer Action Award from President Ronald Regan [sic]. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006 from President George W. Bush, and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1991.

In 2002, Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. merged with Laubach Literacy International to form ProLiteracy Worldwide. Colvin still serves as a lifetime member of the board of directors of ProLiteracy, is an honorary member of the board of directors of Literacy New York, and a member of the board of directors and a tutor at Literacy Volunteers of Greater Syracuse.  READ MORE @

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Literacy Library Jobs :: California :: Solano County

Literacy Library Jobs – California

Under direction, plans, organizes and implements student/tutor training and related activities for an assigned Literacy Program such as Adult, Family, Reach-Out-and-Read, or other literacy programs.


Tuesday, December 13, 2016

SCLLN :: Adult Literacy Leadership Institute 2017 :: Carlsbad Library

Adult Literacy Leadership Institute :: ALLI

The Southern California Adult Literacy Leadership Institute for 2017 will be held on March 10-12, 2017 at the Carlsbad City Library.




This statewide training program for learners is an amazing opportunity to develop leadership, communication, advocacy, and presentation skills. The program is totally free including meals, materials, and transportation. Accommodations are available for those traveling from outside the more immediate area.


Please encourage all of your qualifying adult learners to apply.

The deadline for applications is January 6, 2017

Friday, December 9, 2016

Glendale Library :: Tutor Appreciation :: December 8

Glendale Library Tutor Appreciation
December 8 2016


The Library, Arts & Culture Department Adult Literacy Program offers services to help adults improve their reading, writing, and speaking. Instruction is provided by trained volunteers. The Adult Literacy Program is free and open to all adults ages eighteen and over.

Students Literacy Class

The Adult Literacy Program helps adults who want to learn English as well as English-speaking adults who need to improve their reading and writing skills. Conversation classes and one-on-one tutoring sessions are offered.