About the course
Train-the-Trainer; Participant-Only
This series supports parents and caregivers with instruction and tips on how to apply valuable literacy strategies and resources at home to ensure student success.
The 90-minute workshops also establish our local and national unions as partners in pursuing what is best for our kids and promoting academic success. These sessions serve to build greater bonds between unions and the community. The train-the-trainer modules are five to six hours each.
• Module I: Making Time for Reading
This session will explore practical ways to integrate the importance of reading into everyday family activities, making literacy a natural and enjoyable part of home life. Participants will discover valuable resources and strategies to promote reading at home and learn why fostering literacy in a family setting is so crucial for a child’s development. The session will focus on six key skills essential for building confident readers: oral language, phonological awareness, sound-letter relationships, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. Additionally, attendees will be introduced to the 4 E’s—experiences, expressions, explanations and extras—as effective tools for enriching literacy through meaningful, everyday interactions.
• Module II: Communication and Conversation
This session emphasizes the power of engaging in meaningful conversations with our children to build strong literacy skills. Participants will explore the vital connection between speaking and reading, understanding how everyday communication and intentional conversational turns can support language development. Through strategies such as read-alouds and conversational read-alouds, families can create rich literacy experiences at home. The session will also cover the key components of oral language and provide practical tips for parents, including effective questioning techniques that encourage deeper thinking and understanding. Valuable resources will be shared to help families promote literacy in simple yet impactful ways.
• Module III: Engaging in Read-Alouds
This session highlights the importance of engaging children in reading by encouraging them to experience and interact with text in meaningful ways. Participants will learn why reading aloud to children—frequently and consistently—is one of the most effective ways to support literacy development, especially in light of the learning disruptions caused by the pandemic. The session will explore the lasting benefits of shared reading, offering guidance on how to ask questions that check comprehension and spark thoughtful discussions. Attendees will also have the opportunity to practice using high-quality texts, such as those from First Book, and leave with valuable resources to help make reading at home both impactful and enjoyable.
• Module IV: Stop the Summer Slide
This session will focus on understanding the “summer slide,” the learning loss that can occur when children are out of school, and how to prevent it through engaging, everyday activities. Participants will explore fun and easy ways to keep children learning at home and on the go throughout the summer months. The session will also highlight free resources available in our local communities and online that can support literacy and bring the joy of learning to life outside the classroom. Families will have the opportunity to try out hands-on activities, connect with other families, share ideas, and most important, have fun while supporting their children’s growth.
• Module V: Connecting with Teens Through Reading
This session is designed to help families support their teens in developing strong reading and comprehension skills across all subject areas. Participants will learn effective strategies for guiding teens through complex texts, no matter the topic, and discover practical activities and conversation starters to spark engagement and deepen understanding. The session will also highlight valuable community and online resources that can enhance literacy development during the teen years. Families will have the chance to connect with one another, share experiences and enjoy a supportive, fun environment focused on helping teens thrive as confident, capable readers.