I N T E R NATI O NA L LI TERACY
Day
International Literacy Day Ms Judith Tolomeo - Director of Teaching & Learning
This year’s theme for International Literacy Day was “Literacy for a humancentred recovery: Narrowing the digital divide”. The theme of ILD 2021 is set to create more awareness among people regarding digital literacy.
T
he teachers and students adapted to the online environment using different approaches to inquiring, collaborating, researching and presenting. International Literacy Day takes place on 8 September every year to raise awareness and concern for literacy problems that exist within our own local communities as well as globally. International Literacy Day was founded by proclamation of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, in 1966 “to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights.” International Literacy Day brings ownership of the challenges of illiteracy back home to local communities where literacy begins, one person at a time. Although much progress has been made in improving literacy rates in the more than fifty years since the first International Literacy Day, illiteracy remains a global problem. There are thought to be more than 750 million adults around the world who cannot read. What exactly is literacy? Literacy can be defined as “the quality or state of being literate: educated…able to read and write.” Because you can read this and no doubt spend a lot of time reading online, it may seem incredulous to learn there are people living and working in your own community who not only
32 S T G R E G O RY ’ S C O L L E G E | Hearts & Minds
cannot read this, but are unable to read a book, arestaurant menu, a road sign, a voting ballot, an instruction manual, a prescription bottle label, or a cereal box. Can you imagine navigating modern-day life without the basic ability to read and write? Wiping out illiteracy in every local community around the world is what International Literacy Day is all about. Studies show that giving the brain a daily workout reading, writing, and working with numbers keeps brain cells healthy as we age, reducing the chances of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia later in life. The lack of literary skills limits social engagement at all age levels and prevents adults and children from being able to participate fully and contribute to the betterment of society. Learning to read and write improves our ability to communicate effectively with others by enhancing oral language, allowing us to express our feelings, thoughts, and ideas with others more clearly. Knowing how to
“
Literacy is the
key to personal empowerment and gives us personal dignity
”
and self-worth
read, write and work with numbers are critical skills for jobs with opportunities to advance up the social-economic ladder. Literacy breaks the cycle of poverty, one life at a time. The College acknowledged the importance of International Literacy Day with all students engaging in activities. The Mathematics department recognised that 50% of errors in Mathematics occurs prior to doing any calculations due to not understanding what the question is asking. PDHPE students focused on cause-and-effect language and the use of verbs. Students have been looking at text types in Agriculture, whilst Year 8 Italian engaged in literacy as part of their assessment task, creating an eBook about an Italian family. Students focused on using adjectives in English and Italian to construct several family member descriptions. Years 9 and 10 Computing students completed written activities with a focus on verbs, adjectives, punctuation and cause and effect paragraphs. They also reviewed topic vocabulary by playing online spelling games through the Educandy website. Science classes celebrated International Literacy Day by reading articles from scientific journals. The boys wrote a response, addressing key points in the article, scientific ideas presented, and what they learnt from reading the article. Our Community Engagement Team ensured parents of the College became involved too. A call-out was made to Senior & Junior parents to share the books they were reading, the importance of reading and share their areas of employment where literacy is very important. A video was pulled together of parents sharing their favourite books and why they love it. All areas of employment were collected and a word cloud was made (above).
IS S U E 02 | NOVE M B E R 2021
33
