Parents and students of Grade R and 1 poured into Observatory Junior School yesterday for a parent workshop led by Kathryn Torres. As they filled the Great Hall, parents were given packs with sheets to help them read with their children and facilitate literacy at home. Each family was given a book to take home and read together as well. The interactive presentation began with the children huddling together at the stage and repeating the sounds of the alphabet along with actions based on words that begin with each letter. With Kathryn as an enthusiastic model, the children made sounds from “A” for “apple” to “Z” for “zebra,” jumping at the letter “J” and laughing at the letter “L.” My roommate helped with the workshop and, having had little exposure to Shine in the past, was amazed at how vibrant and adorable the children are. She was moved by the number of parents dedicated enough to travel long distances, possibly missing work, and spend their hard-earned money on transport and school fees to provide educational opportunities for their young children. It is clear that the children and their parents are eager for a chance to learn. The Shine Centre is established in schools like Observatory Junior in part because it is parents like these that complete the circle and ensure that we can make a difference in their children’s lives.
~Amy Holter
1 comment:
What was very exciting was having Lindy to help me present: Lindy is a grade one teacher, and she was alble to translate for me wherever possible: she will be a great person to rely on going forward: she has energy, enthusiasm, and the parents love her. We showed a film, discussed the sounds of the alphabet, talked about paired reading, and gave a demonstration on it, and gave away a book for each parent, and a parent pack.
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