#KnowYourNPO: Life Skills

Throughout the year we’ve shone a light on each of The Domino Foundation’s expansive programmes so that you, our amazing supporters, can get to know more about us. Now it’s time for our Life Skills programme to take the limelight… #KnowyourNPO #LifeSkills

#1. Our Life Skills vision is to empower young learners to make wise life choices, instilling in them a sense of self-worth and purpose and offering them hope for the future. Through engaging life skills lessons and after school recreational activities in three Amaoti schools we help learners realise the immense value they carry – and that they can change their world!

#2. Our Life Skills lessons offer learners an open and engaging platform to talk through tough topics. Either parents are too busy or the school is viewed as being responsible for bringing up the children; leaving complicated topics like puberty, relationships, and friendships without any discussion. In order for learners to develop as adults, they need to have an opportunity to reflect, discuss and act. 

#3. The Boys and Girls Club provides a safe and fun space for learners to explore creative and sporting interests. The three schools the Life Skills Project works into don’t always have the resources to offer stimulating afternoon activities, so our clubs facilitate sessions on soccer, aerobics, and medical talks. We’re all about creating a well-rounded learner! 

#4 Wanting to know exactly how our Life Skills programme operates?

#5 As with most schools we reach – sports, culture and other recreational activities are not easily accessible, so our Boys & Girls Club bridges that gap and provides fun sports and recreational options for learners as seen in the awesome infographic below.

#6 There are many ways to support our Life Skills programme like donating via Zapper South Africa. Simply scan the QR code below and BAM – you’re funding a child’s education!

#7 Another way to support our Life Skills programme is to add The Domino Foundation as your MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet beneficiary. You can have up to 3 beneficiaries so no need to just choose one! More here and update details here.

Literacy Effect 11/14

One of the objectives of the literacy programme we run is “to support educators and work alongside the schools in teaching the children how to read and write in English” by doing this we are able to impact classes upon classes of illiterate children and empower them with the knowledge they need to succeed in life.

Over the past 3 months we’ve looked at the different techniques we use to teach these children and the benefits of these strategies. For the final month we look at:

#3 LITERACY FANS

What are sound fans?

Sound fans are a teaching aid.  Each part of the fan has a sound, blend or digraph printed on it.

How is this done in the classroom?

• the educator says the sound / blend / digraph
• the children repeat
• children find on fan, hold close and on signal show the educator

Why is this done?

Sound fans help the children consolidate their knowledge of sounds, blends or digraphs.

The benefits of sound fans

• Supports children in reinforcing their knowledge of sounds
• Helps build self-esteem

Outcomes we want to achieve?

Through developing a knowledge of sounds, blends and digraphs children will develop the basic knowledge necessary to read or spell.

‘One of the most common reasons for failure to progress in second language learning is lack of opportunity for consolidation.  The key to success are: small steps, frequent repetition and a wide variety of consolidation activities.’ Language without limits, (2014) [online]

Sounds fans are one of five activities we use to consolidate basic knowledge.

Read more from our November Domino Effects Newsletter:

Babies Home Effect

ECD Effect

Life Skills Effect

Feeding Effect

General Overview

 

Literacy Effect 10/14

Over the next 2 months we’ll be taking a seat in one of the literacy lessons that happen weekly to see what goes down everyday and the various methods our literacy tutors use to teach English to predominantly Zulu children.

#2 SOUND BUTTONS

Sound buttons is a whole class activity. The educator works with the children to develop blending skills to read words.

How is this done in the classroom?

• the educator writes a word to read on the board
• the educator puts a dot [sound button] under each sound / blend / digraph
• children say the sounds as the educator presses each button
• children squeeze the sounds together and read the word

Sound buttons help the children understand that the sounds a word is made up of can be blended together to read that word. Children can think they need to remember each word or think reading is all magic!  Sound buttons supports children in developing skills to read words. Children develop skills in blending to read words.

The benefits of sound buttons

• Supports children in developing skills to blend sounds together to read words
• Enables children to develop skills to read independently

We want the children to develop the necessary skills so when they come to an unknown word they can apply their knowledge of sounds, blends and digraphs to read the word.   As a project we seek to empower children so they can read independently.

Read more from the October 14 Domino Effects Newsletter here:

Babies Home Effect

Life Skills Effect

ECD Effect

Feeding Effect

General Overview

Literacy Effect 9/14

September the 8^th was International Literacy Day.

“Our words are powerful. The potency of a written word can arm a person with the wisdom and ability to make a difference… A literate person is empowered, strengthened and has a more hopeful future. But with approximately 860 million illiterate adults worldwide, the time is now – more than ever – to fight for every human’s right to be educated.”

During the course of the week, we released videos and posts about Literacy and Illiteracy in South Africa and the methods we utilize to teach literacy in the various schools we work alongside with.

LITERACY LESSONS:

We continue to teach close to 1000 children at 3 different schools in Amaoti. Our Literacy teachers work with children in grades 2 and 3 to develop phonic skills of the learners in order to equip them to read and write in English. We reinforce various sounds with the children, introduce them to new sounds and apply the knowledge of these sounds to the reading and spelling of simple words.

Our Literacy workers/tutors use various techniques to teach these sounds. Over the next 3 months we will be focusing on the individual techniques we use and take a closer look at how they work.

#1 SHARED READING

• Shared reading is done in grade 3 classes.
• The children sit in the front of the class and read together, in unison from a basic English reader.
• The teacher points to the words as they are reading.
• This type of learning encourages every child to participate and read aloud.
• It is an opportunity for learners to apply their knowledge to the reading of a text.
• It develops their reading AND comprehension skills.

 STAFF TRAINING:

Our staff have been through a process of peer mentoring, where they have observed each others’ lessons.

Peer mentoring:

• helps people to learn from one another
• is a way in which staff can support their colleagues by helping them to identify what they are doing well
• allows feedback to be given
• can help to promote good practice

Each tutor was also asked to identify a learning point, something they had observed in their peers lesson that they wanted to apply to their own teaching. This worked very well, each tutor took away with them something to implement to improve their own teaching.

DONATIONS:

We received incredible book donations during the Literacy Drive! Over 300 books have been sent out to various schools in Amaoti. We’d like to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everyone’s support during this month and their contribution to fighting illiteracy in our country.

Read more from the September Domino Effects Newsletter here:

General Overview

Babies Home Effect

Life Skills Effect

ECD Effect

Feeding Effect

International Literacy Day 8/9/14

Our words are powerful. The potency of a written word can arm a person with the wisdom and ability to make a difference.. A literate person is empowered, strengthened and has a more hopeful future. But with approximately 860 million illiterate adults worldwide, the time is now – more than ever – to fight for every human’s right to be educated.
Today, the 8th of September is International Literacy Day – a day celebrated annually to highlight the importance of literacy in individuals, communities and societies

SO WHAT DO THE STATS SAY?:

• Globally, 1 in 5 people are the world are illiterate.
                              ↓
• Of these people, 2/3rds are females.
                              ↓
• Africa, as a whole continent, has less than a 60% literacy rate.
                              ↓
• 7.1% of South Africans are illiterate

                              BUT

Is this statistic an accurate representation of our country’s literacy rate?

Statistics at the end of 2013, displayed that in total, 92.9% of of South Africans can read and write. However, the way that literacy has been defined and measured in South Africa seems to be problematic. Just because a child is receiving an education, it does not mean that this is a GOOD education.
There is an evident issue that in an ever-evolving technological world, we tend to forget how vital it is to lay the appropriate foundations of literacy to allow ALL children the tools they need to be independent and empowered.

DOMINO IS ON THE FORE-FRONT OF CHANGE:

At the Domino Foundation we recognise how profound ONE literate individual is. We rest strongly on the fact that literacy opens up the doors to a future that is immeasurably brighter.

We make sure that well educated teachers and tutors are raised up to bring about a change and to impart a GOOD education on these learners.

Every day, we have the privilege of impacting close to one thousand through our Literacy Project that works into 3 schools in the Amaoti Township. That’s 998 minds that are being equipped to change our nation and make the right choices. 998 children that will grow up to be literate adults who will play a part in a Domino Effect that will affect an entire community.

To help, SMS the word DOMINO to 48716 to donate R10 to our Literacy Programme!

 

Want to see our Literacy programme in action here:

 

Read more from the September Domino Effects Newsletter here:

General Overview

Babies Home Effect

Literacy Effect

Life Skills Effect

ECD Effect

Feeding Effect

Literacy Effect July/Aug 14

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” Frederick Douglass

There is no doubt that the ability to read and write is a skill that’s power is immeasurable. It is important in not only social development but human development, it changes lives.

Statistics at the end of 2013, displayed that in total, 92.9% of of South Africans can read and write. However, the way that literacy has been defined and measured in South Africa seems to be problematic. Just because a child is receiving an education, it does not mean that this is a GOOD education.

“In the past, according to University of KwaZulu-Natal Population and Development Studies Professor Dori Posel, when the survey asked those with Grade 7 and up if they could read and write, almost all respondents said yes. “The problem is that saying you are able to read and write says nothing about how well you can read and write,” said Posel.

According to the department of basic education, a pupil between six and seven years of age exiting Grade 1 should be able to read and write simple sentences.

However,  it is entirely unrealistic to assume that everyone with a Grade 7 or higher can read and write a short simple sentence.”

So, there is an evident issue and in an ever-evolving technological world, we need not forget how vital it is to lay the appropriate foundations of literacy to allow ALL children the tools they need to be independent and empowered.

SO HOW ARE WE AS THE DOMINO FOUNDATION MAKING A CHANGE?

We educate the teachers so that they may educate the children:

At the end of July a workshop was held for the literacy tutors on developing spelling skills as this was an area we identified the children were struggling with. The key aim of the workshop was to develop an understanding of how to support children in developing spelling skills. The teachers will benefit from learning new techniques on how to improve spelling with the children AND the children will benefit through experiencing the different practical ways to learn.

At the end of August a ‘Developing reading and writing skills’ workshop was held and attended by 28 staff emebers from various Amaoti schools. Through this workshop the educators were facilitated through a process which helped them to understand what shared reading is and what they could teach through a shared reading lesson. As some of the staff don’t have access to shared reading books we looked at how to write and structure a shared reading text – the educators were able to write short stories intentionally including words with a specific vowel digraph. By partnering with the staff, we are able to take the quality of education that the learners are receiving to the next level, language structure will be improved and love and fluency will be promoted.

Impacting hundreds weekly:

We work into 3 schools in the Amaoti area, reaching close to 1 000 pupils weekly. That’s 998 minds that are being equipped to change our nation and make the right choices. 998 children that will grow up to be literate adults who will play a part in a Domino Effect that will affect an entire community.

Read more from our July/August Domino Effects Newsletter:

Babies Home Effect

Life Skills Effect

ECD Effect

Feeding Effect

General Overview

 

Positive Discipline Workshop

 

Rachel Bowyer presenting to the staff.

At the end of July Toni Wilkins, Leigh-Ann Stevens, Janice Freeman and Rachel Bowyer ran a positive discipline workshop with all of the staff members of Amaoti 3 School. The school closed early and the entire staff body made their way to COGS Church to learn, be informed and be encouraged. Some of the topics touched on were:

• Why rewards are better than punishment
• How to promote good behaviour
• Discipline across cultures

 

A video about different disciplinary techniques relative to various cultures was shown and discussed. This was an eye opener to the educators as they got to share their past experiences with discipline issues and discuss the problems they’ve come across.

By verbalising the issues, they were able to evaluate how better to handle situations and how to deal with parents who expect corporal punishment to take place opposed to the government’s laws. The community expects extreme and harsh punishment to take place but the teachers worked on how to shift from an angry approach to a learning one. Overall, it was a safe place to address issues and discuss issues. Feedback from the staff was that not only was it educational but therapeutic.

Literacy Effect 6/14

This month we decided to give you greater insight into the happenings in our Literacy classrooms by showing some of the moments captured during these great lessons. Our stats stand currently at:

• 3 SCHOOLS
• 22 CLASSES
• 22 EDUCATORS
• 4 TUTORS
• And an incredible 998 LEARNERS!

Read more from the Domino Effects June Newsletter:

General Overview
Babies Home Effect
Feeding Effect
Life Skills Effect
Literacy Effect
ECD Effect

Literacy Effect 5/14

In May we take a look at the teachings in the classrooms and we meet yet another one of our remarkable literacy teachers who works hard to ensure that the children she teaches are able to expand their knowledge of the English language.

In the Classroom:

This is just a snippet of what the Grade 2 learners at the three schools were taught this month–

• Reinforcement of sound s, a t, i, p, n, c, d and blends st, sp, sn, sc, nd.
• Introduction and hearing of blend nd.

And for the Grade 3 learners –

• reinforcement of vowel digraphs oo, ee, ai, igh and oa aswell as the introduction of digraph ar.
• Shared reading – opportunity for learners to apply their knowledge to the reading of a text.  Development of comprehension skills.

 

We continue to teach close to 1000 learners, with some classes filled with over 70 kids – it’s a massive task but the impact that these lessons make is irreplaceable!

Meet Nolwazi:

This month we interviewed another one of our incredible Literacy teachers, Nolwazi. A lover of her family and a very hard worker, Nolwazi explains that she is a child of God who is passionate about teaching children. She is 22 years old and is currently studying to acquire her degree. For 4 years, Nolwazi has been teaching children English at a school in Amaoti, she works with on average 50 children in one class- a gruelling task when most of these children speak only isiZulu at home. Despite the overcrowded classrooms, Nolwazi loves seeing these children grasp new things, she says that these ‘light bulb moments’ are one of the greatest joys of her job.

 

 

Read more from the May Domino Effects Newsletter:

Babies Home Effect

Feeding Effect

Life Skills Effect

ECD Effect

May General Overview

Literacy Effect 4/14

This month we feature another interview with one of our awesome Literacy teachers and we take a look at what’s been going down in the lessons.

At The Schools:

Our literacy lessons are jam-packed with learning of new sounds and words. For our grade Grade 2 learners this month we focussed on the reinforcement of sound s, a t, i, p, n and blends st, sp, sn, sc. We also did an introduction of the sound c, hearing of sound c and blend sn.

For the Grade 3 learners, the reinforcement of vowel digraphs oo, ee, ai and igh was taught as well as the hearing of sound v. Also looked at were the reading and spelling of words with vowel digraphs.  Activities were also done to help develop skills in distinguishing between vowel digraphs.

We also gave the opportunity for learners to apply their knowledge to the reading of a text.  This month we also focussed on the development of comprehension skills.

Meet Ntombi:

Once a month, we like to feature one of our Literacy teachers and give you a greater insight as to who they are and what they do. This month, we interviewed Ntombi, a 22 year old with a passion for children. Currently studying education through UNISA, Ntombi works part time 4 days a week tutoring children in their understanding of the English language. Ntombi was encouraged to start teaching when she looked at the community around her and realised that every child deserves to be educated. She loves the experience that being a literacy teacher has given her and loves seeing children begin to grasp something new and finds it exciting to watch them progress over time. Ntombi is passionate about God and delights in getting to bring some of that joy and care to these children.

Read more from our April Newsletter here:

General Overview

Feeding Effect

Life Skills Effect

Babies Home Effect

ECD Effect