The Westcoast Reader

10/14/2026

Make a strong password.
Try a passphrase: 4 random words.
Example: purple-river-toast-mountain
Use a different password for each account. Turn on 2-step login. Never give your code to someone who calls you.
Teachers and LOCs: Have learners make a practice passphrase (not a real one!). Words to know: password, account, code, protect.

10/13/2026

Today is International Plain Language Day.

The Westcoast Reader is written in plain language. Short sentences. Clear words. Real news.

Teachers and LOCs: Bring in a hard letter or form (from a bank, landlord or government). Rewrite one paragraph together in plain language. What changed?

10/12/2026

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving in Canada is on the second Monday in October. Many people share a special meal.

Some families eat turkey. Others eat chicken, rice, curry, fish, dumplings or vegetables. There is no one right way to celebrate. It is a day to share food and say thank you.

Teachers and LOCs: Ask learners, "What food do you eat on a special day? Describe it." It's a great speaking or writing activity. Words to know: grateful, tradition, celebrate, share.

10/11/2026

Today is International Day of the Girl.

October is also Women's History Month in Canada.

Teachers and LOCs: Ask learners to talk or write about a strong girl or woman in their life.

What did she teach them? Words to know: equal, education, opportunity, role model.

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day.

What is one small thing that helps you feel calm?

Mental health means how we think and feel. Everyone has mental health.

Free help in BC: call or text 9-8-8, any time, day or night.

Teachers and LOCs: Words to know: stress, support, wellbeing. Talk about it:

10/09/2026

Learning disabilities do not go away when school ends.
Many adults still remember feeling left out in class. That memory can make it hard to ask a question.

Teachers and LOCs: Small things help.
• Let people listen first
• Offer another way to answer
• Make it easy to come back after missing a class
• Ask, "What helps you learn?"

Decoda's self-advocacy guide helps learners name their strengths.

For Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, explore loneliness, belonging and practical ways literacy programs can welcome learners while respecting their strengths and choices.

10/08/2026

This week is Science Literacy Week.

Science is part of everyday life: cooking, weather, gardening, health.

Want to learn more? Visit Science World in Vancouver. It's the big silver dome by the water! Find out more at scienceworld.ca.

Teachers and LOCs: Ask learners, "What is one thing in nature you have always wondered about?" Use the answers for a reading or writing activity. A class trip to Science World is a great idea too. Words to know: experiment, predict, result.

10/07/2026

Is this message a scam?

Scam messages often:
• say you must act NOW
• ask for a password or code
• have a strange link
• say you won a prize

Teachers and LOCs: Bring in a fake scam text (make one up). Learners circle the warning signs.
Words to know: scam, link, suspicious, password.

Homepage of the Government of Canada Get Cyber Safe campaign. Find out where the risks are, how to protect yourself and how to protect your devices.

10/06/2026

Free money you might be missing.

The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit was paid on October 5. The next payments are in January and April.

How do you get it? File your taxes every year. You don't need to apply. New to Canada and haven't filed yet? You can apply to the CRA.

Teachers and LOCs: Words to know: benefit, tax return, file, eligible. Talk about it: Why does filing taxes matter even if you don't owe money?

10/06/2026

October has four special months:
• Learning Disabilities Awareness Month
• Health Literacy Month
• Canadian Library Month
• Cyber Security Awareness Month

Teachers and LOCs: ask your learners to pick one.
What do they already know about it?
What do they want to learn?
Each week we'll post news, words to know and free help you can use in class.