The Westcoast Reader

04/01/2026

📰 The April issue is out! It has articles adapted to three reading levels about:
🟢 Earth Day
🟢 New trends
🟢 BC to stop changing clocks
🟢 A volunteer story
🟢 A prize-winning Doberman
🟢 Extra grocery money for Canadians
🟢 A late note from the prime minister

Subscribe at: https://thewestcoastreader.com/

03/24/2026

Register for next week's free webinar 👉 Universal Design for Learning: Strategies for Inclusive Literacy Programming with Steph Coe

💻 Join us for a free webinar 👉 Universal Design for Learning: Strategies for Inclusive Literacy Programming with Steph Coe
April 2, 12:00-1:00 pm
🔗 Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tUqPCrkcRX6CeHa1pJE1vg #/registration

✅ The goal of UDL is learner agency that is purposeful and reflective, resourceful and authentic, strategic and action-oriented. The framework has been informed by cognitive neuroscience, environmental design, learning theory, and teaching practice. Steph Coe will walk us through what UDL is and how it can inform our practice.

✨ Presenter’s Bio
Stephanie Coe’s career went from the forest to the classroom after a traumatic brain injury required a career change. She discovered neuroplasticity first-hand and how learning heals the brain. She has been teaching adults language and literacy since 2005; 15 years overseas (two in Japan and thirteen in Istanbul). From 2023-2025 Steph was the CALP Coordinator for Mt. Waddington Family Literacy Society. She loves that “ah ha” moment when her learners say they get it. Steph earned her BSc Sociology from the University of London LSE, and is a Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP).

03/16/2026

🏅 readers of The WCR were the class winner of the Family Literacy Week Contest, "Make mealtime family learning time." Learn more in this Book Level 1 article:

📰 Family Literacy Week contest winners

A contest was held during Family Literacy Week from January 25 to February 1.

The theme was “Make mealtime family learning time.”

People submitted their story, drawing or a photo to enter the contest.

The winners were picked from a draw.

The winner of a family literacy kit was Christine Shapovalov from Fort St. John.

The winner of a $100 Indigo gift card was CLB 1-3 LINC class at Archway Community Services in Mission.

“The class shared that mealtimes are times to learn about how each other’s day is going and how they are feeling,” says Karla Hiltermann, LINC, EAL Instructor, Archway Community Services.

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📸 Karla Hiltermann
Archway Community Services

03/13/2026

🧩🃏🀄 Read about how a teen has started a games and puzzles library in the March issue of The WCR!

📰 Teen starts free library (Book Level 1)

Allison Sam is a teen. She lives in Richmond.

Sam saw many little free libraries. They are small places where people share books for free. They come in many shapes and sizes. Some are small wooden boxes filled with books.

She had an idea. She could make one for puzzles and games.

Sam got a youth grant to help start it.

The library opened last December. It is in Steveston. It is at O’Hare’s GastroPub.

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Adapted from Richmond News
📸Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives

O'Hare's GastroPub and Liquor Store

03/11/2026

📺🏒👬Have you seen the TV show Heated Rivalry starring B.C.'s ?

📰 B.C. actor stars in popular TV show (Book Level 2)

The Canadian TV show Heated Rivalry is very popular. Millions of people around the world are watching it.

The show is about two young hockey players. They are rivals on the ice. Off the ice, the two men fall in love with each other.

The story shows the pressure of professional hockey. Some players are gay. They love other men. They feel they must hide who they are.
Right now, no players in the National Hockey League say in public that they are gay.

Many viewers say the show helps gay people feel seen and accepted.

One of the stars is Hudson Williams.
He is 24 years old.

Williams was born in Kelowna and grew up in Kamloops. Before he had a lead
role, he worked as a server at The Old Spaghetti Factory. He went to auditions
and acting classes while he worked.

He started with small roles. Now, fans around the world know him.
People in B.C. are proud of Williams’ success.

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Adapted from Wikipedia Commons for the March issue of The WCR
📸 HBO Max/Sabrina Lantos

03/09/2026

🥌👩‍🦽🥇 Watch Ina this week during the ! Learn more about her in this Book Level 3 article 🔽

📰 Ina Forrest curls for Canada 📕📘📗

Ina Forrest lives in Spallumcheen.

She played sports when she was a teenager. When she was 21 years old, a drunk driver hit her car. She was paralyzed. She began using a wheelchair.

She did not play sports for more than 20 years.

In 2004, someone asked her to try wheelchair curling. She liked it.

In 2006, she joined Team Canada.

The Paralympic Games are for athletes with disabilities. Athletes from many countries compete. Forrest has gone four times. She won a medal each time.

She will curl for Canada again in Italy.

The Games run from March 6 to 15.

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Adapted from Canadian Paralympic Committee
📸 Curling Canada/Doris Weir

03/06/2026

🩷 International Women’s Day (IWD) is March 8. We celebrate women and their accomplishments. 👩‍⚕️👩‍🌾👩‍🏭👩‍💼👩‍🔬👩‍🔧👩‍🚒👩‍⚖️ It is a day to speak up for equal rights for women and girls everywhere.

📰 Canada’s first female prime minister (Book Level 3)
Kim Campbell was Canada’s first and only female prime minister.

Campbell was born in 1947 in Port Alberni. She studied at the University of British Columbia. She trained as a lawyer and lectured on politics.

In 1988, voters elected her to represent Vancouver Centre in Parliament.

Campbell became Canada’s first female justice minister and first female defence minister. She worked to change sexual assault laws to protect victims. She helped make gun laws stronger.

In 1993, Brian Mulroney stepped down as prime minister. Campbell took over. She served for four months. Her party lost the next election.

Today, she speaks around the world about fair elections and leadership. She helps women who want to be leaders.

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Adapted from Wikipedia Commons for the February issue of The WCR
📸 Wikimedia Commons/Simon Fraser University - University Communications

03/04/2026

📚 Teachers, make the most of The Westcoast Reader in your classroom!
The Teachers’ Notes for the March issue of The Westcoast Reader are designed to save you time with ready-to-use activities that help learners:

✔️ Develop effective reading strategies
✔️ Increase their vocabulary
✔️ Improve grammar, spelling, and pronunciation

🔗 Download the Teachers' Notes: https://thewestcoastreader.com/download/9039/?tmstv=1772590835

03/02/2026

🍀📰 The March issue of The WCR has recent news articles adapted to three reading levels.

03/02/2026

🍀📰 The March issue of The WCR has recent news articles adapted to three reading levels.