Reading at school

Today, I went back to the schools to see if any of the teachers had their forms completed-only 2 teachers had them done! So, I stayed at Chayiwe (grades R-4) and went into each of the classes and read them a book.  I read to every class this morning. I think it will help with their English skills to hear someone read to them in English accent.  Anyway, I read a book to all the classes about a dog and cat that became friends and played with a ball.  I wanted them to get into the book and be interested, so I made animal noises and acted out the book while I was reading to them…when it said the dog jumped, I jumped, when it said the cat cried, I also pretended to cry.  The kids loved it and laughed their cute little heads off at me.  Even some of the teachers started laughing at me too…I don’t blame them.  Anyway, after I finished reading the book in each class, I then asked the kids questions about the story.  When I asked the about what the dog did after the ball went missing, they said JUMP. So, I then told them they had to act out their answers and jump too. They loved it and were laughing even more!!  So, I plan on continuing to go by the classes on read to the kids on occasion since they liked it so much.  I think I might also start an after school reading club when I’m able to start projects.  I think for about 20-30 minutes after school once a week, I will pick a book and read to the ones who want to come, and then ask them fun questions about the book. I think this will help with their English. I also plan to keep the older kids (4^th graders) longer at the end of the club meeting and let them read to me in English, so that I can help them with their reading skills. I hope to make it as fun as possible for them, cause they don’t get to have much fun. I think they will really enjoy it, because most of them don’t have books at home.

I’m back at my room getting ready to cook some lunch…