Growing Up Green: Family Literacy Program-Nancy Tovell & Lisa Gower
*August 5th- Announcment: Bookmates has advised Manitoba Nature Summit Inc. that there is a presenter change for this workshop. Kate Vermette will no longer be presenting and will be replaced by Nancy Tovel.
Workshop Description:
Bookmates would be pleased to return to the Manitoba Nature Summit. In 2012, we presented this program, then in its initial stages of research. Now, after two years of extensive development as well as community and family consultation, the Growing up Green family literacy and learning program is available for facilitator training and program implementation in communities across Manitoba.
Using nature as a learning tool, Growing Up Green is a six session outdoor family literacy program that encourage parents/caregivers and preschool children aged 2 to 5 years to explore and learn outside. Through rhymes, books and nature-based learning activities, families will experience the joys of learning together while gaining the tools to foster their family connection to nature and the environment.
This presentation will include some of our tested family literacy activities, rhymes and songs, all about how we help our kids grow up green.
Group this workshop is best suited for: Preschool (2-6 years)
This workshop will be offered: Friday PM
Presenter Bios:
Lisa has a wide range of experience in pre-school and elementary education, with a focus on early literacy and special needs. Her work with Head Start in Minnesota included establishing a ‘Dads and Kids Book Club’ for pre-schoolers and their fathers. She also has created professional development opportunities for graduate students, early literacy volunteers, and teaching colleagues. Lisa has most recently worked as a resource/early literacy teacher.
Lisa holds a B.A in Fine Arts from Minnesota State University Mankato, and a Master of Arts in Child Study and Education from the University of Toronto. Her work in literacy, visual literacy and community development emphasizes growth and empowerment through life-long learning. She currently lives in Selkirk, Manitoba where she volunteers with Pawed Pals Animal Rescue to facilitate community and family connections with our non-human friends.
Nancy graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree and spent several years travelling five continents and collecting a million special memories. Included in these memories are working with early childhood education programs in London, England, as well as creating spontaneous “language sharing and literacy sessions” from Bodrum, Turkey to Cape Town, South Africa. Prior to joining Bookmates, she owned The Book Girl, a company providing books to schools and child care centres in Winnipeg. As the mother to two young girls, she believes that an important piece of family literacy is fostering a connection to nature by tasting the earth, collecting bugs, and playing in the rain.
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