Chuma PS Scouts develop a love for reading
The Cape Flats in the Western Cape in SA faces persistent challenges in early literacy. More than half of the Grade 4 learners in the province cannot read for meaning. The Scouting-in-Schools team at Chuma PS realised the gaps in literacy skills amoung the learners and how this influenced a lack of interest in school work. They decided to address this through a literacy campaign.
The Scouting-in-Schools leaders ran a literacy project where the Scouts and learners read and discussed at least 6 books, and then retold them to their peers. They practiced using a dictionary and revised basic elements of speech. They also wrote and shared their own short stories, visited a library to learn how to find information, and how library books were classified. Some got their first library card too!
By creating excitement for reading, learners got a renewed interest in their school work. We realised that difficulties in reading and writing makes it hard for learners to be interested or excited about their school work. By understanding the basics, teaching and learning becomes a whole lot easier. When learners know how to do something, they get excited and are eager to do more so helping them understand made this project more productive.
