Great Imaginings' Literacy Programs

In our world today, literacy is a crucial building block for living, loving and learning. Acknowledging, accepting and respecting differences is fundamental to peaceful and productive living. We all need to communicate with one another, using verbal, written and creative expression to reach out and understand the varying nations of the world that inhabit our planet, each with its own religious and cultural traditions. We must use our most powerful weapon - our minds - to break through hatred and prejudice, and open our hearts and minds to really listening, appreciating and understanding the thoughts, feelings and needs of men, women and children throughout the globe. And we must be willing to share our skills, talents and expertise with people who need our help.

As parents, educators and concerned citizens, we can help in our own way. It is our responsibility to help children develop their abilities to express who they are, what they want and how they can accomplish their goals. Reading and writing skills are necessary tools for meaningful, fulfilling and harmonious living.

The goal of the literacy programs is to provide strategies that enable educators, parents and interested adults to more effectively teach reading and writing skills to students - teaching in ways that will excite their minds, sensitize their senses and bring to children an understanding of how these skills help them to become the best they are capable of being, and how they, in turn, can help others achieve their dreams, and work together for harmony and world peace.

Strategies for Building and Promoting Literacy
[Adult Workshop]

Dr. Elana Ashley presents a broad base of creative strategies that can be used in the teaching of reading and writing skills to students [kindergarten - 12th grade]. Participants learn about a variety of methods for developing skills and energizing the talents of their students. Teaching methods presented include the use of computers, drama, storytelling, poetry, folk tales and myths, song and musical instruments, creative movement and varied artistic techniques.

Family Literacy:
A Unique Approach to Teaching Reading and Writing Skills
[Adult Workshop]

Dr. Elana Ashley designed a workshop for educators and parents which combines the reading, writing and discussion of a series of stories Ashley has written and illustrated with a variety of creative strategies to stimulate interactive participation among children, siblings and their parents or among teachers and their students. The presenter uses drama, music, discussion, fantasy/science fiction and an exciting, educational web site to encourage the development of advanced reading and writing skills.

For further information about Literacy Programs, refer to Storytelling Programs, Past Programs, Present Programs and Future Programs.
E-mail: drashley@greatimaginings.org

Great Imaginings, Inc.
An Illinois Not-For-Profit Corporation
P. O. Box 101
Northbrook, Illinois 60065-0101
847.480.8998

© 2003 Elana Ashley, Ph.D.