International Literacy Day

• English
• LessonUp
• +2
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)
• BTEC, GCSE

Introduction

A lesson for International Literacy Day. We all know who important literacy is, but do all our learners really appreciate it? It's so much more than just reading books, as great as that it - literacy touches every aspect of our lives. A ready to go but fully customisable lesson!

International Literacy Day

Welcome to this lesson for International Literacy Day!

International Literacy Day

Learning Objective

By the end of this lesson you will:

• understand why literacy is vital to success
• understand the different branches of literacy
• have reflected on your own literacy

Learning objectives page

What do you think of when you hear the word 'literacy'?

Simple mind map to activate learners.

Activities on subsequent slides will expand the concepts here further.

: match these examples!

Producing a CV

Enjoying a fantasy novel

Posting on social media 

Sending an email

Making a speech

Verbal instructions

Reading an electricity bill

Job interview

Composing rap lyrics

A drag and drop activity. You could easily modify or add more examples.

: think of more examples!

This mind map could be organised in groups - control the controbutions by asking each group in turn and dragging them to the white boxes. 

• 1 in 6  UK Adults struggle with reading 
• Adults with very poor literacy earn about 7.1% less annually—roughly £1,500 less—and typically lose out on about £33,000 in lifetime earnings.
• Those with poor literacy are more likely to be unemployed, have poorer health, and lower civic participation

Information slide 

• Only 35% of children and young people (aged 8–18) say they enjoy reading, the lowest in nearly 20 years
• Boys read for pleasure significantly less than girls: 25.7% of boys versus 39.1% of girls
• A recent government report highlighted that 10–16% of those aged over 45 lack foundational digital skills 

Information slide

Why do you think some people underestimate the importance of reading?

Open question to generate discussion

How does reading and writing help you achieve things in your life?

Another open question - hopefully many will realise it's helped them get to where they are today!

What might make a job application hard to understand?

1. Handwriting
2. Use of unfamiliar terms
3. Font size
4. Photos

Quiz question

Which of these shows digital literacy?

1. Booking a doctor's appointment online
2. Reading a novel
3. Sending a text
4. Writing an essay

Quiz question

What does 'functional literacy' mean?

1. Being good at grammar
2. Writing poetry
3. Reading fantasy novels
4. Using reading and writing in everyday tasks

Quiz question

What's your literary skill you are most proud of or want to improve?

Exit ticket, could also generate more discussion!

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Thank you for using this lesson!