Several of our U.S.-born students read at a very low level due to dyslexia or some other reading disability. This past summer, the Council invested in the Barton Reading & Spelling System, a proven curriculum designed specifically to overcome those challenges.

The curriculum, which can also be delivered remotely, is multi-sensory and phonics based. For example, students pull down colored tiles representing consonants or vowels to form words. They tap their fingers while repeating sounds and write on the screen. The lessons are carefully scripted, so volunteers know exactly what to say and do to build a foundation in phonics.

“It’s comprehensive,” says volunteer Lisa Heinze, who also draws upon her experience as a former elementary classroom aide to tutor a 20-year-old learner, who had a brain condition that impaired her cognitive abilities. The lessons, Lisa says, “are organized and easy to use.”

Oakland Literacy Council is working hard to bridge the “digital divide” in Oakland County, helping adults left behind because they lack technology, internet access, and computer skills.

The Council raised more than $100,000 in 2020 to hire a digital literacy coordinator, provide hardware and software, and deliver computer-skills training to adults in Oakland County. “We know that low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected by a lack of digital access,” says Executive Director Lisa Machesky. “By helping adults bridge the digital divide, they can become fully literate, secure higher-paying jobs, and help their children learn.”

As part of this major initiative, adult learners receive laptops and complete the Northstar Digital Literacy curriculum to earn certificates demonstrating their computer proficiency–proof of job skills they can share with potential employers.

“This is something I’m doing to build myself up,” says Ms. Jackson, a Pontiac resident who never had a computer before. Now, she has weekly computer lessons with the digital literacy coordinator and online reading classes with a trained literacy tutor. She says she’s better able to support her children, who are doing online school from home.

Funding for this initiative came from the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, the Oakland County Library Board, Oakland Together Community Response and Recovery Fund, and the Lula Wilson Trust.

Spirits were bright in this Thursday conversation group! Students and facilitator Rebecca Moll joined together for a virtual holiday party.

The celebration actually started a few weeks ago. Each person in the group had a Secret Santa. They each filled out questionnaires so the Secret Santas would know more about their person. Instead of sending gifts, Secret Santas wrote letters and created something on the computer, such as a recipe or video.

At Thursday’s party, Secret Santas were revealed! Then students shared how they guessed (or not) their Secret Santas.  But the fun didn’t end there. They played online games, including Name that Tune, Charades, Catch Phrase, Scavenger Hunt, and Survey Says.  The group also shared holiday traditions.

Along with the joy of gathering together, the holiday party was a great opportunity for the students to practice reading, writing, speaking, and digital skills.

As of December, there were 15 conversation groups meeting weekly with trained Oakland Literacy Council facilitators. Group learning is an important supplement to one-on-one tutoring because it helps students gain skills more quickly and form friendships.

 

Thank You for shopping at Leon & Lulu during the spookiest day of the year, Halloween.  A portion of your purchase on October 31st, 2020 went to the Oakland Literacy Council. The Oakland Literacy Council is the only organization dedicated solely to ending adult illiteracy in Oakland County.

Want to know more?

Watch our video:

https://youtu.be/3HQ0vdQYkyQ

Want to volunteer?

Become a tutor:

https://www.oaklandliteracy.com/become-a-tutor/

Want to brush up on your reading skills?

Become a student:

https://www.oaklandliteracy.com/become-a-student/

Want to invest in our work?

Donate:

https://www.oaklandliteracy.com/donate/

• An upcoming 4-part series will highlight experts from an array of Metro Detroit educational institutions who will share important resources for parents of school-aged children during the COVID-19 pandemic
• In addition, weekly conversation groups allow parents to connect with one another to share concerns and ideas
• Presented by the Oakland Literacy Council with funding from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

Oakland County, Michigan – Educators from an array of Metro Detroit educational institutions will share insights with immigrant and refugee parents of school-aged children during an upcoming online speakers’ series. Sessions provide learning tools for children of multiple ages, information on how to access community resources, and ways to reduce conflict with children and increase their competence. The sessions kickoff Thursday, October 15th and will be presented this month and next. To register for any session, please visit www.oaklandliteracy.com/eslparenthelp.

Immigrant and refugee parents are also offered the opportunity to join small, online parent conversation groups facilitated by a trained volunteer. These groups are designed to bring English-limited parents together to share their concerns about student learning and emotional well-being. Together the parents will share ideas and support one another. Their discussion topics may include technology issues, motivating children to engage in learning, where to go if there is a problem, and how to manage anxiety and depression. There are groups available for parents of elementary children, middle school, and high school youth. To find out more about the conversation groups, please email amy.g@oaklandliteracy.com.

The speaker series and conversation groups for parents are supported with funds from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and presented by the Oakland Literacy Council.