July 10
Reading camp rocks
Today we had a different schedule. Usually the kids visit 6 learning centers each morning to work on specific reading skills. They spend 30 minutes in each so it takes up the entire morning. Today we were going to a game reserve to see the animals so everything had to be rearranged. At breakfast, brother timothy asked one young boy if he was excited to go to the game park. Yes, he said, but would they still do the centers? Well, said brother timothy, they would shorten them and do half beforehand and perhaps the other half after lunch. For a moment no one at the table spoke. Then the boy said he would rather do centers than see the animals!
The kids are having so much fun wilth everything they are doing. From learning to read to singing. Journals, soccer and crafts and hikes, they are having a blast. It's about the reading. But it is also about new worlds being opened up through new friends, books, bedtime stories, wild animals close up, and people who care for you and care about you and show it in lots of ways. Brother timothy says part of the reason reading camp matters in south africa is because we have a generation that went from illiteracy to television. this is still an oral/aural culture but now they get their information from tv. So there is no felt need to learn to read. May this week change that for a few.
www.readingcamprocks.blogspot.com
4 comments:
kate-your blog is so full of hope and the possibilities of life. back here in Cleveland we are preparing for the departure of our pilgrims and getting excited for their journey.
I have great hopes that Brit and the group can reach out and touch something special during their time with you.
reading camp and South Africa rock!
Hey Kate!
Sounds like things are really going well! It's fascinating to think about that oral/literate shift... I actually wrote something of a dissertation on it last year (gulp!). I'm so excited to see you and talk more about this (and lots else!) in person... in less than one week!
OK--be well,
Mary
Kate,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for taking the time to write this blog so that we can share this journey with you!
Susan (and all the Vodreys)
kate-happy that you've arrived safely, and seemingly have settled in. i'm so glad you're blogging. i pray for you and all that God plans. "much is required from those to whom much is given" (luke) we are all given ssoo much.
love to you, tracey (horn)
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