Creating Hybrid Spaces During Story Circles With Refugee Parents

• In Event: Adult Education Research Around the Globe

Abstract

This presentation will provide an analysis of story reading events involving refugee parents and children. This study, conducted during 2010-2011, documented efforts by a local coalition for Imagination Library that included organization of several story reading events to increase literacy for refugee families through community engagement. Data sources for the study included observations of 16 hour story reading events (for Burmese- and Karen-speaking families) and interviews with parent and volunteers. Results indicated that the story reading events always included a bilingual interpreter and focused on providing basic literacy and math skills in English, Burmese, and Karen also. Most stories focused on animal-themed books to increase content area literacy, and all events included aesthetic and creative activities to foster comprehension skills.

Authors

• Sunita Singh, Le Moyne College

• Frank Ridzi, Le Moyne College

• Monica R. Sylvia, Le Moyne College