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DENINU KUE/FORT RESOLUTION
Two educators from Deninu School in Fort Resolution were recognized last week for boosting literacy at their school.

Educators Kate Powell, left, and Lucinda Summers, right, receive their Ministerial Literacy Award from Department of Education, Culture and Employment deputy minister Gabriela Eggenhofer on Sept. 25. The teachers were recognized for helping to boost literacy rates at Deninu School in Fort Resolution. - photo courtesy of Ashley Green, Department of Education, Culture and Employment

Kate Powell, language coach, and Lucinda Summers, program support teacher, both received the Ministerial Literacy Award from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment on Sept. 25.

The pair have been working with teachers to develop an integrated program that combines literacy and different units of study under a theme.

For example, Powell said students in grades 8 and 9 were learning about ancient civilizations while doing a science unit about salt and freshwater systems.

Powell said the team came up with a theme that included both topics, which students incorporated into a final project where they created virtual museums to demonstrate how ancient farmers used water in their farming methods.

The integrated method also includes reading material that match units students are studying.

"When it comes to the teacher doing read aloud, shared or guided read, they are actually using books to do with topics," Powell said.

Since it began two years ago, the school has had a 35 per cent increase in student literacy rates while the number of students in student support programs dropped by 16 per cent, according to the department.

"As a result of their efforts, all students are now reading at or above their grade level and parents and community members are fully engaged in literacy awareness," the website stated.

Powell said she and Summers spend time developing curriculum methods with teachers in the school individually, which promotes consistency both within subject matter and in the classroom.

"We can combine English language arts within science, social studies and health," she said. "It makes it more meaningful."

She also said it means students know what to expect when learning, as well as what their teacher expects from them.

"Students are going through the school from class to class knowing what the system is," she said.

Teachers are also giving lessons in subjects usually reserved for high school, including note-taking, concept mapping, persuasive writing and task analysis.

"What we're trying to do is build essential skills that high school teachers identified," Powell said. "They felt if the high school students come into high school knowing these, it's going to help them a great deal."

Powell and Summers were presented with their awards during the Adult Learners' Luncheon, which is held annually by the NWT Literacy Council and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

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