Literacy Vision Statement:

We believe that all Tłı̨chǫ students are capable learners who can achieve literacy skills that meet or exceed Canadian standards. We acknowledge and incorporate the oral and land-based traditions of the Tłı̨chǫ into our classrooms, which encourages Tłı̨chǫ students to be ‘strong like two people’. 

Literacy plays an important part in every aspect of life – speaking,  listening, reading, writing, drawing, singing, presenting. In the Tłı̨chǫ region, we recognize this and work hard to give students rich opportunities at school to develop all of these skills and encourage families to practice these at home. 

The Dene Kede is an anchor resource that is to be used at all levels to help Dene students in the process of becoming capable Dene. An important part of learning in the Tłı̨chǫ region is to reflect the culture of the communities in which the families live. This involves adapting the learning to include Indigenous information in the classroom, on the land or outdoors. 

Oral language is used to express knowledge, ideas and feelings. The early years in school focus on play-based learning in which oral language plays a significant part. Students learn more about language by using it, which in turn plays a role in learning to read and write.

Literacy skills are necessary for students to understand the information presented in our classrooms and to be capable of the required reading for their grade level. The age-appropriate literacy skills are taught to students each year in each subject area, reinforcing what has been learned in previous grades and built upon to further their learning.

To support this, we encourage reading for enjoyment. There are books of interest for everyone, whether it is non-fiction, poetry, horror, mystery, graphic novels, manga or romance, etc. and encourage students to read for pleasure. 

If students prefer online reading, they can access Raz-Kids at https://www.raz-kids.com/ at any time. There are many books to choose from on this site so students can choose a book of interest at school and at home.

There are a number of programs that we have in place for students who need short-term intervention to move them toward their grade level with the ultimate goal of student independence. These interventions include Oral Literacy Initiatives and the Literacy Intervention Programs.

We want our students to continue to grow, to succeed and to become capable people!