The political obsession with back to basics literacy is leaving schools behind. What is taught in school is becoming increasingly distant from what is required in the real world.
At the time of publication, Emma’s longevity was far from guaranteed.
The Shopping Sherpa
At the time of publication, the longevity of Jane Austen’s fifth novel Emma was far from guaranteed. And yet, 200 years later, it now seems immortal. This is the story of its remarkable life.
Some students struggle with reading and need to be taught in different ways.
from www.shutterstock.com
Around a fifth of children aged five to 16 will experience reading difficulties. Schools need clear guidelines on how to choose the best literacy programs for their students.
Young adult fiction has been having a much needed conversation around diversity. In 2015 we saw this discussion bear fruit, as a new crop of diverse, absorbing and powerful stories sprang up.
Pick a book that your child will find entertaining.
www.shutterstock.com
Children who fail to read regularly during long breaks from school will often see their reading ability drop. Here’s how to keep kids engaged in reading.
It’s time to pick up that favourite book and get reading.
from shutterstock.com
There isn’t a lot of time for recreational reading when you’re running a university. But when year-end holidays roll around, Africa’s vice chancellors can finally read for pleasure.
Whether you read to your kids or they read alone, share stories from and about Africa with them.
Shutterstock
Traditional African stories often tackle big, occasionally scary and serious themes. This is even true in children’s stories – though there’s plenty of room for silly fun, too.
A boy in the Ivory Coast practises reading his letters. Children can learn a lot about reading from each other during the “School Game”.
EPA/Legnan Koula
The benefits of learning through play are well documented. In rural communities in South Africa, “playing school” produces passionate lifelong readers.
Extensive research shows that textbooks are crucial to children’s learning.
Shutterstock
Textbooks have been at the centre of two major South African court cases. They may not be a magical cure for all the country’s education ills, but research shows they are a critical part of learning.
When parents are stressed about maths, their children can develop the same negative feelings towards the subject.
www.shutterstock.com
Dyslexia is often poorly understood by the public, leading people to attribute a problem they have, like bad spelling, to dyslexia. Here are the most common misconceptions explained.
Should schools rethink their schedule?
Lower Columbia College (LCC)
African-American children tell stories that are vivid, elaborate, and rich in imagery. These skills help support their early literacy skills. How can schools take advantage of this?