One of the amazing lineup of presenters for the May 24, 2023, Alberta Literacy Insitute (register here). Information here we are excited to share this conversation with Nawal Qarooni.
Committed to growing thinkers, writers, and readers, Nawal Qarooni visits with hosts Charlie Kraig and Rick Gilson to discuss the work of the NQCLiteracy team and her passion for connected families in the process of literacy development. Foundational to Nawal’s work is the notion that we learn best when our learning is connected with all those with whom we have a relationship. Through mindful efforts to expand our knowledge of others, other cultures, and other people, our relationship tree expands our ability to read, write, listen and better relate with each other. Listeners are encouraged to check out Nawal’s team, work and website at www.nqcliteracy.com
Nawal Qarooni is an educator and writer who works in learning spaces to support a holistic model of literacy instruction. She works with teachers and school leaders to grow a love of reading and composition in ways that exalt the whole child, their cultural capital and their intrinsic curiosities. She is the proud daughter of immigrants and mothering her four young kids shapes her understanding of teaching and learning. In her daily literacy coaching and school-based support, Nawal draws on her years as a middle-grades classroom teacher and professional writer, as well as her love of photography and connection to nature. Nawal is a former international newspaper reporter, writes educator guides for kidlit books she believes in, is a contributing writer for We Need Diverse Books, and is the founder and lead consultant of NQC Literacy. Her first book is forthcoming with Stenhouse on caregiver literacy.
Please feel free to contact us at arpdc.ab.ca@gmail.com if you would like to work with Nawal at your school to establish a Family Lab Site at your school.
Books discussed in this episode include books for adult reading and books for students, primarily k-8.
Adults:
You made a fool of Death with Your Beauty – Akwaeke Emezi
True Biz – Sara Novic
Adult/High School:
Isabelle Wilkins – Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent
Clint Smith – How the Word Is Passed, and Counting Descent and Above Ground both of which are collections of Poetry selected poems grade 7-12.
Samira Ahmed – Middle school fantasy series Amira and Hamza, Color Outside the Lines, Ms. Marvel, Internment
Aida Salazar and Yamile Saided Mendez – Calling the Moon Grade 6 and up Human Growth and Development (Physical Education and Wellness related in Alberta’s Curriculum)
Oge Mora – Thank You Amo and Saturday
David Bowles (author) Erika Meza (Illustrator) My Two Border Towns
Aya Khalil – The Night Before Eid: A Muslim Family Story
Amy Tang – Fish Cheeks
Andrea Wang – Watercress
NQC has put together a list of books “Culturally Nourishing Books” mostly illustrated books that share the different foods cultures eat as part of the story often with recipes, a great way to learn about each other.