One of the very first things we learn as infants is to recognize words. With that knowledge, we are gifted with a powerful tool that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives: the ability to explore the world through communication, storytelling, and creative expression. 

As a lifelong guide, literacy continues to shape how we learn, connect, and grow at every stage of life. It should never be taken for granted. Instead, it deserves intentional focus and care throughout our students’ educational journeys and well beyond the classroom. 

There are endless corners of the world to explore through literacy. In this month’s blog, we invite you to join Sudbury Catholic students as they discover a love for Shakespeare, experience the benefits of social writing, learn the intricacies of analyzing texts, and share their passion for reading and storytelling with their families during Family Literacy Night. 

The Royal Canadian Legion’s Literary Contest Winner  

Sophia Church, a Grade 5 student at Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School, drew inspiration from her great-great-grandfather, Jim, who served in the Second World War, to craft a poem for the Royal Canadian Legion’s Literary Contest. Her goal was to evoke the emotions experienced by soldiers during that time, as well as the feelings of the loved ones they left behind.

“I wanted people to feel what people felt in that battle many years ago,” Sophia said.

Sophia won first place in the competition, earning a cash prize, a medal, and a certificate presented by the local Royal Canadian Legion.

While Sophia was thrilled with the win, she shared that this achievement is only the beginning of her journey as a writer. She has already started the opening chapter of a novel and hopes to one day complete an entire book. Her advice for other aspiring writers her age is simple: write what you feel and write from the heart.

Mock Trial on The Tell-Tale Heart

At Bishop Alexander Carter, students brought Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart to life through a mock trial that transformed literary analysis into an active, collaborative experience. By stepping into roles such as judge, attorneys, and jury members, students applied rhetorical and persuasive writing skills in an authentic setting. Using Aristotle’s appeals, of ethos, pathos, and logos, students constructed evidence-based arguments, analyzed character motivation, and responded dynamically during cross-examinations. This approach strengthened reading comprehension, oral communication, and critical thinking, demonstrating how literacy extends beyond the page and into real-world problem-solving and persuasion.

The Writer’s Café at Marymount Academy

In Mrs. Blais-Callaway’s Grade 7/8 English class, students are discovering the benefits of writing in a social setting through a Writer’s Café. By writing alongside their peers, students are able to share ideas, exchange feedback, and build confidence in their voices.

This fall, students dove into two chilling classics, “The Landlady” by Roald Dahl and “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe. Inspired by these stories, the young authors gathered in the Writer’s Café to craft their own original mystery tales, discussing plot twists, refining details, and learning from one another along the way.

Nothing feels quite as cozy as writing spooky stories in the warm, collaborative atmosphere of the Writer’s Café.

Interpreting Macbeth’s Famous Speeches

In Ms. Mackay’s Grade 11 English class at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, students revisited a performance-based literacy task that invited them to record their own interpretation of one of Macbeth’s famous speeches. This activity encouraged students to explore voice, tone, and meaning while building confidence and familiarity with Shakespeare’s language.

Students also worked collaboratively to create and perform a group presentation representing the Three Witches. Together, they wrote and performed an original spell inspired by the play’s themes, imagery, and language, bringing Shakespeare’s words to life through creativity and teamwork.

Check out the video below for two student examples. Clarke put his own spin on the speech with a basketball-themed announcer style, while Katherine chose a dark fantasy approach.

Writing Dystopian Survival Guides

In Mrs. Montgomery’s Grade 10 Pre-Advanced Placement class at St. Charles College, students took part in a Dystopian Survival Guide project designed to deepen their understanding of dystopian literature through creative and authentic learning. Students selected a novel for their literature circles from a mix of classic and contemporary texts.

The goal of the assignment was for students to analyze dystopian works through the lenses of setting, power, characterization, rebellion, and theme, while demonstrating their understanding in engaging and meaningful ways. Rather than completing a traditional essay, students were asked to create a “Survival Guide” intended for new citizens entering a dystopian world. This approach supported diverse learning styles and allowed students to showcase their strengths.

“What stood out most was the level of student ownership and engagement. Students who are typically hesitant writers were eager to revise scripts, design visuals, and record multiple podcast takes to improve clarity and voice. The project generated thoughtful conversations about power, surveillance, identity, and resistance, while still maintaining a strong focus on literacy and critical thinking.” – Mrs. Montgomery.

St. Francis Students Celebrate Literacy Day with a Book Swap

St. Francis students celebrated Literacy Day and their love of books with a book swap organized by the school’s resource teacher, Ms. Visentin. Students donated gently used books from their home and traded them in for “new” books. This year the school’s cafeteria had a selection of book titles on display for students to choose from in both English and French languages. The book swap provided an excellent opportunity for students to exchange books and encourage reading. Students also accessed reading online during the day by using LEXIA, Power Up and Storyline Online. Later in the day, all students were gifted with a brand new book to take home and enjoy with their family, courtesy of the St. Francis Parent Council.

St. John’s Stone Soup Luncheon

Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. Thompson’s FDK students welcomed their families to join them for lunch on Family Literacy Day. After reading and discussing the story “Stone Soup” by Marcia Brown, the students have been learning about the importance of collaboration and community and worked together to prepare some delicious hot soup for their families to enjoy in theme with the book they had read!

St. David’s Literacy Morning with Families

Literacy came to life at St. David Catholic Elementary School as students and families gathered for a hands-on parent/guardian literacy activity. The classroom was transformed into a series of interactive literacy stations designed to build foundational reading and thinking skills in meaningful, real-world ways.

One popular station invited students to rearrange laminated steps to create a recipe in a logical order, helping them practice sequencing, comprehension, and critical thinking. Another station encouraged personal storytelling through a collaborative mural, where students wrote or drew a meal that is special to their family.

St. James Holds Literacy Scavenger Hunt and More!

Family Literacy Day was celebrated at St. James Catholic Elementary School with engaging activities that brought students and families together through a shared love of reading. Students in Grades 1 and 2 in Mme Modesto’s class participated in a French literacy scavenger hunt, exploring books from the classroom library to practice reading, letter and sound recognition, and problem-solving in a fun, interactive way.

Meanwhile, families in Ms. Battiston and Ms. Pam’s Kindergarten classes were welcomed to a cozy Kindergarten Café, where parents and caregivers spent time reading with their children while enjoying hot chocolate and letter cookies. These activities highlighted the importance of literacy both at school and at home, fostering early reading skills, confidence, and meaningful connections through learning.

Immaculate Conception Rolled Out the Red Carpet

Immaculate Conception Catholic Elementary School welcomed students and families to a VIP Readers event. Special guests Police Chief Cunningham of the Greater Sudbury Police Service and Superintendent Folino joined the celebration, sharing their favourite books and stories with students.

The event highlighted the joy of reading while creating meaningful moments for families to spend time together, share stories, and celebrate literacy in a fun and memorable way.

Pius XII Elementary Students Explored Food from Around the World

Students in the FDK-B class at Pius XII celebrated Family Literacy Day by exploring foods from around the world through a literacy-rich experience. As they sampled dishes ranging from Dutch meatballs and krokettes to French croissants and desserts, Scottish shortbread, and Filipino noodles and spring rolls, students engaged in meaningful conversations, expanded their vocabulary, and shared stories connected to culture and family traditions.

The activity highlighted how literacy extends beyond books, encouraging language development, curiosity, and meaningful connections through shared experiences.

St. Albert ALC’s Literacy Challenge

At St. Albert Learning Centre, literacy is more than a skill; it is a shared experience that brings families together and strengthens learning beyond the classroom.

To mark the occasion, members of the Education Team prepared family literacy bags for students to take home. Each bag included a storybook, a Family Literacy Day workbook, and a few treats to help create a cozy reading moment.

Along with the materials came a special challenge: to set aside time at home, curl up with a book, and read with someone important in their lives.

Is there any better way to share your love for literacy than with your family and friends? Whether it’s reading a favourite story together, talking about a book at the dinner table, or discovering new words side by side, these moments help build strong connections and lasting memories. As a school community, we know that literacy begins at home and is strengthened through meaningful partnerships between families, schools, and educators. By nurturing a love of reading and learning together, we are supporting the development of the whole child, mind, body, and spirit, and helping our students grow into confident learners and compassionate citizens who are prepared to make a positive impact in the world.