Literacy Day event for school-aged
children planned for Nov 21

DEFIANCE, Ohio – In support and celebration of National Family Literacy Day on Nov. 1, the Defiance College early childhood education majors are planning an event for school-aged children in grades K-3 and a food donation drive. The food drive is being held through Oct. 30, and the literacy event will be held Saturday, Nov. 21.

The drop-off locations for the food drive include: First Federal Bank (north and south branches), Biggby’s Coffee, Key Bank, Ponderosa Restaurant, and Defiance College (Serrick Center and Defiance Hall).

The donated food will be given to the PATH Center.

“Warming Your Minds, It’s Reading Time!” is the theme of the Nov. 21 literacy event.  The event will be held at Defiance College Pilgrim Library from 9 a.m. - 12 noon. During the literacy event, children and parents will be engaged in reading activities to enhance or improve the reading skills of young children.

Dr. Fred Coulter, associate professor of teacher education, will give a presentation to show parents how to best maximize the literacy handbook. The DC student teacher candidates will facilitate various activities in phonemic awareness, phonics, and vocabulary development, and comprehension. Parents will receive a copy of the literacy handbook, developed by the early childhood teacher candidates.

Celebrity guest Mark Gordon, president of Defiance College, will read Stone Soup to the participating children. Each child will receivea copy of the book. 

To learn more about these efforts or to register your child for the literacy event, contact Dr. Sandra Golden, assistant professor of teacher education, at 419-783-2412 or by email at sgolden@defiance.edu.

The event is free and open to the public.

Defiance College, chartered in 1850, is an independent, liberal arts institution in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate majors as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of engagement. The college website is www.defiance.edu.

October 22, 2009