Blog

Laura Eby, NWT Literacy Council Youth and Adult Services I read Amy Poehler’s Yes Please at lightening speed during my recent plane rides to and from Winnipeg.  I didn’t want to put it down, and was laughing out loud and smiling most of the way.  It’s a quick, fun read full of stories and hilarious anecdotes as well as thoughtful insights and advice about working hard to make a career and a life… Read more.

Marianne Bromley, NWT Literacy Council Literacy Coordinator I plan to give Any Questions? by Marie-Louise Gay.  I recently bought this book for myself because I am a fan of Gay's Stella series (also great gifts).  In this book, Gay addresses the many questions children ask her about writing, drawing, ideas and her life.  She answers them with a whimsical and funny story within a story that shows… Read more.

Is it possible to improve your literacy and essential skills (LES) while learning how to refurbish a life boat? What about while making seal skin mittens?  Or fixing bikes? Three years ago we had no idea if you could, but now we do! In 2011 the NWT Literacy Council, along with the Yukon Literacy Coalition, Ilitaqsiniq- Nunavut Literacy Council and Literacy Newfoundland and Labrador started a… Read more.

  Every year I face the same Christmas gift dilemma.  How do I respect the ritual gift giving and avoid the consumer hype that’s so much a part of the holiday season? Here are just some of the reasons to put the brakes on Christmas shopping. Consumer debt.   A third of Canadians spend more than they can afford on Christmas gifts. Too much stuff.  No one I know needs the latest hot gift, a… Read more.

You can see people’s imagination run wild with their own creations amidst the construction paper, markers, blunt scissors, glue sticks, and googley eyes.   This is what makes family literacy activities so much fun.  Working in the field of family literacy is like celebrating National Child Day every day. Most of our work supports families and programs to carry out such activities in NWT… Read more.

November is financial literacy month.  We have healthier relationships, and better mental and physical health when we are free of financial problems.  Our ability to manage our finances, in a way that makes us comfortable and in control, helps us reach our goals. There’s a new booklet with great information and advice for anyone sharing financial literacy information.  I wish I had read Welcome… Read more.

Ever asked yourself if you might want to start your own business? Many adult learners across the NWT are asking themselves that question after taking part in a new Aurora College course. Start Your Own Small Business¸ Part 1 of the new six-week course, was developed by the NWT Literacy Council and pilot-tested in Tuktoyaktuk, Aklavik and Tsiigehtchic this spring to rave reviews.  It’s now being… Read more.

Going to conferences is a great way to learn about the latest research in the field of literacy and find out how the work we do stacks up with what others are doing around the country. Brain development, play, community kitchens and father involvement were some of the subjects of great family literacy workshops at the 2014 Literacy & Learning Symposium in Edmonton last week. I spent three… Read more.

There’s more to Halloween than candy Doing crafts benefits children in several different ways.  For instance, crafts help children improve fine motor skills and coordination, follow instructions, and explore ideas. Crafts are fun and a great way to bond with your child while creating something together.  Crafts promote self-regulation; waiting for glue to dry is a lesson in patience.  Children… Read more.

The PGI for Literacy last week was a whirlwind for the NWT Literacy Council.  Our eight southern performers and northern musicians took their literacy message to 11 schools in Behchokǫ̀, Ndilo and Yellowknife, one adult literacy program, the Avens Cottages Territorial Dementia Centre, Yellowknife Association for Community Living and the North Slave Young Offender Facility.  We also organized… Read more.