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In celebration of World Literacy Day, we hope this reminds you of the beauty of reading, and what a gift it can be.
May it inspire you to read and to continue doing what you can to help others to become literate. (Video shared from the page of Biblioteca Municipal "Mateo Garcia")
Our latest online resource mimics the teaching process that would be used by Link volunteers if they were teaching face to face using The Link's Simple Sound cards. The lessons are aimed at pre-readers or beginner readers who need to cement foundation skills. Digital resources are being shared with our partner schools on an ongoing basis, and where possible, they are being sent out to children. We have also made the decision to extend the use of our resources to other children in need who are not part of our usual partner schools. For more information, contact us at info@thelinkliteracyproject.co.za
This is a really informative Covid-19 link to share. It is data free, so can be easily accessed by all. ClickMe.datafree.co/FlattenTheCurve
clickme.datafree.co
I am helping the Health & Welfare SETA to flatten the curve of COVID-19: Click here cc133.datafree.co/course/covid19/share to watch the COVID-19 video series in your language of choice (at no data charges). BTW you stand a chance to win daily share of R3000 in airtime.On Mandela Day, The Link was very fortunate to be given a large number of bottles of hand sanitiser. Here, Dr Wilfred Bock, the Executive Head of Curro Waterfall Independent School, is handing over the sanitisers to Megan Maynard. These are being distributed to some of our needy schools. We are most grateful for this generous gesture.
This week we will be sending out the last two of our vocabulary building resource drives to our partner schools. Here is an example of what is covered. We hope the teachers and learners will find these resources useful in supporting their efforts to continue education during these difficult times.
We are continuing our efforts to provide relevant, low data resources that can be used at home. This week we launched the first in our series of visual and corresponding audio clips that aim to build vocabulary and reinforce knowledge of letter sounds. Access the google drive (use Google rather than Facebook browser to do so), and share the resource via WhatsApp. drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kp_Wa0846GCd4JflsoO5hZ0twR_tkmIV?usp=sharing
Our volunteers have recorded some lovely stories for young learners. They have been designed to be sent and viewed via WhatsApp and have been produced in such a way that they use minimal data. Each story has a set of images to assist with comprehension. You are free to access the stories and images off the Google drive below and download or forward them on to learners. When sending via WhatsApp, instruct the end user to first put the audio playing and then open the image. This way, the child can view the image whilst looking at the picture. Hint, open the link in Google Chrome and not Facebooks browser. Our thanks to africanstorybook.com for allowing us to use their stories.
drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JJECZvts-e6fliwtVuiJh1Crm6vgELBV?usp=sharing
Whilst we are unable to currently do what we normally do, we continue to offer help to our partner schools in whatever way we can. The Link has approached a number of psychologists and counselling services. We are able to facilitate pro bono assistance for any teacher or management at our partner schools who may be battling with the current situation. Thank you to all the service providers who have offered their time.
As children start to return to school, we would like to acknowledge and thank all school management, teachers, cleaning and other support staff for all they are doing to support and facilitate the continued education of children. Thank you.
The Link has a centre at Sparrow in Melville. It is so encouraging to see the hard work they have put into preparing the school for the return of the grade 7 learners. Well done Sparrow Schools Educational Trust!
There are some great teaching/ learning resources on this site, including some wonderful children's books.
www.education.gov.za/?fbclid=IwAR2js7tR-tBD6c6Jn5dhNzoornH1lIKFL3pqDcCEf4bjpfeQCLiYCkjsyF8
COVID-19 Learner Support Package
www.education.gov.za
COVID-19 Learner Support Package, COVID-19, COVID19 covid19, Covid-19, coronavirusWe recently updated the results section on our web site. Thank you to everyone for the part you played in achieving these results last year. We are looking forward to being able to getting back to teaching (whenever that might be!), and to making a difference in children's lives. www.thelinkliteracyproject.co.za
One of our Link schools Salvazione Christian School is raising money trough an art raffle. Funds raised will go towards food parcels for the vulnerable and needy children of the school who have been hugely impacted by the closure of the school's feeding scheme during lockdown. Please consider supporting them.
The Link Centre at Fordsburg continues to help the community in and around Fordsburg Primary. They have formed an organization called Linking Hearts and have this last week handed out 200 food parcels and 400 masks to families of the school. Thank you for the kindness you show to others.
Part 2 in our "Why We Volunteer" series. Thanks Nelisiwe for your contribution to The Link.
We may not be able to teach The Link children at the moment, but that doesn't mean we can't make a difference.
www.thelinkliteracyproject.co.za/about/results/
“We urge households to support reading improvement initiatives by ensuring that children are given time to read, and that parents and caregivers participate by reading with their children and sharing stories,” said Minister Angie Motshekga.
www.sowetanlive.co.za/sebenza-live/2020-04-13-support-for-school-learners-during-lockdown/
Support for school learners during lockdown
www.sowetanlive.co.za
Minister Angie Motshekga met with the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) to evaluate plans that will ensure learners are better informed about the virus and that they continue their education in their homes.From one of our volunteers: "I’m so grateful for what my daughters and I have learnt through volunteering at The Link.
My domestic worker’s 6 year old is staying here with her, during lock-down, and so my daughters and I are doing alternate days with him, following the Link 45 minute reading programme. For the first 15 minutes he practices reading, then we play a literacy based game for the next 15 minutes, and in the last 15 minutes we read a story to him and let him take the book 'home' with him - he loves it- and so do we!
He will definitely NOT be one of the grade 2’s in need of extra help next year!"