Innovative Ideas from CALPs across Alberta
Is it just me, or is time flying by? It seems hard to believe that we are half way through the grant year. Now is the time that many step back to evaluate and tweak their...
Arts-Based Tools for Community Development
Full disclosure, I do not have an artistic bone in my body. So, when I received an invitation to Literacy for Life’s Culture of Collaboration event – Arts-Based Tools for...
Family Literacy Day and the Difference it Makes
*Did you know that studies show that as little as 15-20 minutes of reading a day dramatically helps both children and adults succeed in life? Family Literacy Day is one...
High Fives All Around! – Appreciation and Retention Strategies
Why is Conveying Appreciation Important? Regardless of where a CALP location is in Alberta or whether they are large or small, one similarity in the non-profit CALP world is...
New Tutor Interviews
In the CALP world we know, without a doubt, how valuable volunteer tutors are. They willingly share their time, energy and expertise with adult foundational learners in a way...
Culture of Collaboration
Thinking of ways to improve your CALP’s reach in the community? Want to make the best use of your resources – human and capital? Consider hosting a community event with...
I Spy with My Little Eye….
Do you remember playing “I Spy” as a child or now with your children and/or grandchildren? This classic game has saved many doctor’s visits for my girls and myself in the...
Honouring National Aboriginal Day - June 21st
This week, as we honour National Aboriginal Day on June 21st, we are pleased to feature Monique Fry as our guest blogger.... Monique is from the Cheam First Nation in BC, and...
WriteForward - A skills-based writing assessment
write forward is a new writing assessment tool for adults. The Adult Literacy and Essential Skills Research Institute at Bow Valley College spent the last couple of years...
Supporting Each Other's Success
Is it just me, or has the last year gone by in a flash? In many ways it seems like just yesterday that I was transitioning out of my old role with Flagstaff Adult Learning...
Edible Art: 5 fabulous recipes for stress-free craft time
One of the most popular activities in many Family Literacy programs is craft time. And everyone knows, the younger the crafter, the more likely the craft supplies are to end...
HELP! My CALP Hijacked my Facebook
This week we are featuring guest blogger Tracy Pound! Tracy is the Program Coordinator at MVCALS (Mountain View Communities Adult Learning) We’ve all heard the advice about...
Rockin' and Roll-in Family Literacy Program Kits
What is a Rockin’ and Roll-in Family Literacy Program Kit? A Family Literacy Program Kit is a convenient and containable package where supplies for family literacy programs...
Free Assessment Tools for Essential Skills
Once you’ve had a chance to look at the various essential skills resources online, you may be wondering how to measure the essential skills levels of your learners. While...
Reading what Matters
The first time I met Dan he had come to our literacy program to find out what we could do to help him with his reading. Blotchy red-rimmed eyes revealed that he had been...
A Day in the Life of a CALP Coordinator
This week we are delighted to feature a guest blogger! Tanjia Hayden-Kaye is the Coordinator at the Ponoka office of the Ponoka/Rimbey Adult Learning. This week, she's...
GED or not GED? THAT is the question.
GED officially stands for General Education Development, but most of us know it as the General (or high school) Equivalency Diploma. It is a program that has been around for...
Reading Assessment to Inform Learning
Looking for a reading assessment that tells you what reading skills to teach to each learner? Read Forward is an informal reading assessment designed with learners in mind....
How Ready is your CALP for Staff Transition?
Think back to your first days on the job.... The learning curve was so steep ! Everything was new and there was so much information to absorb and apply. For many CALP staff,...
Essential Skills - Where Do I Start?
Interesting fact – all 5 of the CALP regions listed Essential Skills (ES) as one of their top professional development needs. So, if you’re new to Essential Skills, you might...