Literacy Matters - Winter 2020

Conclusion This paper identified how Magical Book’s social enterprise integrated authentic writing experiences into literacy activities in their after-school program by introducing participants to a real audience to write letters to, and, in turn, made students eager to seek feedback on their writing and improve their reading and writing skills. Introducing them to an authentic audience to write to also helped to enhance their enthusiasm to learn, eagerness to listen, and impacted their writing production. students to an authentic audience and creating real purposes for writing could be a great place to start. The audience is significant because children who are presented with real audiences find authentic reasons to read, write, and think critically even after school is over. I hope that the ideas covered in this paper will serve as a catalyst to help you find more ways to introduce authentic experiences in your after-school program or classroom. If we want to keep children interested in reading and writing, we must have relevant and impactful activities that they can do. By thinking critically about our lesson plans and taking advantage of technological applications and tools, we can also find innovative ways to bring the world into after school experiences. After-school programs can be a great place to improve children’s literacy skills and a love for learning. Connecting References Abulude, S. (2017, July 19). American author, Brodsky wants Nigerian folklore infused into children’s books. Leadership newspaper. Retrieved from https:// guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/aina-exposing-children-to-the-art-of-reading/ Antoniou F., &Souvignier E. (2007). Strategy instruction in reading comprehension: An intervention study for students with learning disabilities. Learning Disabilities: A Contemporary Journal , 5 (1), 41-57. Oti-Aina, O.A. (2013, August 26). Magical Books Summer Reading Club / Book Fair: [Facebook Post]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/ events/501649143259200/?active_tab=discussion

Reading Matters Writing Matters

Figure B. A student’s copy of a summary of his experience at the post office during the Friends and Fun Club to the Nigerian Postal Service. All of the students who attended were required to write about their experience.An eight-year-old participant wrote the above letter.

Duke, N. K., Purcell-Gates, V., Hall, L. A., & Tower, C. (2006). Authentic literacy activities for developing comprehension and writing. The Reading Teacher , 60 (4), 344-355.

Halpern, R. (2000). The promise of after-school programs for low-income children. Early Childhood Research Quarterly , 15 (2), 185-214.

Halpern, R. (2003). Making play work: The promise of after-school programs for low-income children. New York: Teachers College Press.

Hiebert, E.H. (1994). Becoming literate through authentic tasks: Evidence and adaptations. In R.B. Ruddell, M.R. Ruddell, & H. Singer (Eds.), Theoretical models and processes of reading (4th ed., pp. 391–413). Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

Oti-Aina, O.A. (2015, September 10). The Magical Books Summer Reading Challenge. [Facebook Post]. Retrieved from

ttps://www.facebook.com/magicalbooksinitiative/photos/a.454792154568342/8 96887713692115/?type=3&theater

Irvin, J. L., Meltzer, J., & Dukes, M. (2007). Taking action on adolescent literacy: An implementation guide for school leaders . Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Bayless, S. D., Jenson, J. M., Richmond, M. K., Pampel, F. C., Cook, M., & Calhoun, M. (2018). Effects of an Afterschool Early Literacy Intervention on the Reading Skills of Children in Public Housing Communities. Child & Youth Care Forum,47 (4), pp. 537-561. Springer US.

Jenson, J. M. (2013). Risk, resilience, and positive youth development: Developing effective community programs for high-risk youth. Lessons from the Denver Bridge Project . New York: Oxford University Press. Magical Books. (2017, April 18). Young writers workshop during Magical Books Literacy Club. [Facebook Post]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/search/ top/?q=magical%20books%20literacy%20club&epa=SEARCH_BOX

Brodsky, K. (2009). The inside story. Manchester, NH: Helpingwords.

Brodsky, K. (2015). High wire act. Manchester, NH: Helpingwords.

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