Family Literacy Newsletter - September 2025

Literacy in Grand Erie

Welcome to our Family Literacy Newsletter.  We want to share information about reading development, reading instruction in Grand Erie, and ways you can support your developing readers at home. 

Our board is working towards the goal of increasing the overall reading proficiency of all students, with a focus on students in grades 1-3, as early intervention is key in preventing future reading difficulties. 

A child reading

Simple View of Reading

Picture Source: The 5 Pillars of Reading Instruction - LD@school

This graphic is called ‘The Simple View of Reading’.  It shows that we need to be able to both read the words on the page and understand what they mean to make sense of text.  Both of these skill sets continue to develop as children learn to read and read to learn.  

Decoding (word recognition) X Language Comprehension = Reading Comprehension

Definitions

Below are some definitions of terms that you might hear as your child begins a new school year. 
Early Reading Screener
The Ontario Ministry of Education requires Early Reading Screening to be administered to all Senior Kindergarten to Grade 2 students.  This is a quick assessment of early reading skills to monitor students’ development in early reading skills.  This assessment is one piece of information that allows teachers to inform and plan their classroom instruction and identify children who may need additional support.   
Diagnostic Reading Assessment
Diagnostic Reading Assessment is an assessment of reading skills.  The information from this assessment tells teachers about students’ reading skills, where they might be struggling, and helps teachers to plan their instruction for students.  
Structured Literacy
Structured Literacy is a way of teaching the skills necessary for reading that is clear, step-by-step and based on research.

Activities to Try at Home

Try these activities at home to support Oral Language, Decoding  and Comprehension.

Beginning Reader

Oral Language

Play ‘Eye Spy’ using descriptive words.  Example: “I spy something that is bumpy.”

Decoding

Point out letters and sounds you see on signs while driving, walking, or shopping.

Comprehension

After reading a book together, have your child tell you about their favourite part.


More Experienced Reader

Oral Language

Have your child think of synonyms for ‘happy’ ‘amazing’ and ‘important’.  

Decoding

Have your child break a longer word apart into syllables.

Comprehension

Have your child tell you about the events in a book they are reading.


Family Literacy Resources

Literacy resources for families are available on the Grand Erie website.  Here you will find information about the skills necessary for skilled reading and activities you can do at home to support your child’s development of these skills. 

Check it out!