From January 20-22, educators across the Vancouver School Board (VSB) gathered in the gymnasium at Henry Hudson Elementary School for Literacy Days. Grounded in VSB’s Responsive Literary Framework, Literacy Days were a chance for educators to review literacy data, and explore strategies for setting foundational literacy and language skills in the classroom. 

Each elementary school was invited to send primary staff to attend workshops on one of the three days. In addition, members of district leadership and other VSB staff attended. The event included sharing, listening and learning to further provide educators with practical ways to support students’ early reading and writing skills. 

Throughout the gymnasium, small cups of dirt were placed in the centre of the tables. This sparked conversations among educators about what they were for. The answer was buried beneath the surface: seeds. 

“Kindergarten and Grade 1 are extraordinary years,” says Shannon Burton, director of instruction. “No other grade has the opportunity to shape learners beginning experience in school in the same profound way.” 

Like the seeds in the cups, literacy screening in kindergarten and Grade 1 is the starting point for excellent readers and writers. Educators plant the seeds, then nourish and support their growth as students continue their literacy journeys. 

This year, most kindergarten students across VSB were screened for literacy. Those with diverse needs or circumstances who required alternative ways of screening were assessed in other ways. This essential screening helps create a foundation for literacy to grow. 

“It’s joyful to be a teacher, but it’s also a lot of responsibility,” Burton continues. “This is a collective responsibility. We all need to work together to ensure the students in our district have the opportunity to be screened, and then also get the instruction, care, joy and wonder that will help them become successful, literate citizens long-term.” 

Suzie Polzin, district principal for learning instruction, agrees. 

“Often when we plant a seed, we don’t see the impact right away,” she says. “But the work you do as educators helps sow the seed so it can grow into a seedling, then sapling and onward. Over time, we see the progress.” 

Literacy Days continued with a series of interactive workshops. Ranging from growing language skills and universal screening, early literacy support for French Immersion learners and building literacy around First Peoples Principles of Learning. The sessions offered a wide variety of takeaways. In one workshop titled, All That We Are Is Story, educators learned how to create opportunities for deeper conversations with students. This is an important part of connecting First Peoples Principles of Learning with VSB’s Responsive Literary Framework. 

To bring conversation to life, educators were tasked with creating “their happy place” using a series of objects set out in front of them. By narrating their creations, the workshop encouraged the practice of oral storytelling. The exercise sparked creativity, curiosity and conversation. 

The days wrapped up the same way, through conversation. Educators shared their new learning with one another, offering the different perspectives, tools and resources acquired during the workshops. 

The knowledge gained will serve as new tools for educators, creating more opportunities to nourish the seeds of literacy for all students.