A New Maths Club in Cradock!

Yes! 

A month ago I started a Maths Club in Lingelihle, Cradock at the Church of the Assention, Anglican Church. When I went to suggest this possibility, Rev. Zweli Tom was very positive and immediately gave a retired teacher in the congregation the responsibility to partner with me to see to the establishment of this club. This opportunity was then made public during two Sundays in the Worship Service, after which I evaluated all the learners that came. Now, after one month there are 12 learners enrolled at the club.

When the first learner arrived for evaluation I was a little nervous to see that she was a High School learner, since I made it very clear that this Club will start to lay the foundation in Maths. At the end of the day most of the learners that came were Grade 8's. When I however graded their evaluation sheets, I saw that they indeed still need some work on their foundation. I have seen in the past that it is actually never too late to lay the foundation and that it will help them to continue with better grades.

It is with sadness though, that I also observed that these learners already carry emotional scars, because of their struggle in Maths. I try to communicate that there is no need to be embarrassed when you are practicing a new skill and struggle. You should rather be embarrassed when you quit practicing a skill, in other words, give up. They however are learners that are willing to invest time and energy after school to continue practicing their Maths Skills. I am convinced that they will indeed reap the reward of this sacrifice.

At Carinus Primary School, where I am helping one Grade 1 teacher with 19 of her learners who need help with reading and perceptual development, I am happy with the learners' progress. I hope that we will be able to continue here and even grow the programme.

All the best for this last stretch!

Evelyn

Homework clubs in Churches

I was so encouraged 10 days ago when I attended the Beyers Naude Workshop for the churches in the Eastern Cape in Willows, Port Elizabeth. The theme of the day was: Alternative Economic Models. In her talk, Rene August, (an Anglican Priest that is a staff member of The Warehouse) presented one of the main solutions that the church so easily can engage with, as opening their spaces to homework clubs in the afternoons free of charge. She continued to say that it will have a huge impact on our economy when the youth are able to finish their education. Of course, I agreed with her completely.

After this session, I spoke to Hendry Tromp of the URCSA, Gelvandale. He was happy to know that what he and I started in 2013 at his church, was now recognized as something all churches should engage with.

Here in Cradock I know of two churches that are doing just that. (There might be more, but I have not discovered them.) One is in Atlanta, Lingelihle. Their building is a sink structure that leaks when it rains. Yet, when the pastor of this church was asked if a homework club can be started in his church, he immediately agreed and encouraged the church's members to get involved with it. Well done, to him!

My experience has been that:

* kids don't as a rule destroy these properties

* these spaces are left clean after it was used

* if congregations get involved the church and the community benefit from this getting to know each other.

I would like to encourage those that see a need for a homework club in their community to approach churches in their community and ask them if they would be open to host a homework club. You might be surprised at how eager they are to help. If they are not eager, at least you held up a mirror in front of them, so that they could see their hearts. (The time when churches could be comfortable and excluded from the problems the community is faced with, is long gone.)

In studying Early Christianity I discovered that the word synagogue has the meaning of the gathering of people. In the first century the building where people gathered for prayer, was the community center. I think it is time to bring this together again. We have all these buildings. Let it again become centers of empowering communities to live lives as whole human beings. Education will be a very strategic area in this vision. Living in Egypt within the Coptic Community, I saw this lived out practically with wonderful success.

Come on, try it!

Evelyn

Teaching Maths in Large Classes.

In a radio interview in 2014 Max Du Preez spoke to Brian O’Connell on RSG about the education situation in South Africa. Brian in that interview said: “Because South African children these days have only 20 % of the resources that white kids had before 1994, we must become incredible in teaching large classes.”

I was very intrigued by this statement, not completely convinced that it is realistic to hope or pray for something like that. The end of last year though, I met a couple from the USA who have been working in a Township School in Cape Town. There they developed a method how to teach CAPS-Maths in the primary level in large classes, who has proven to be very successful. The key they say is that learners get a lot of time to practice in the classroom, without the fear of making a mistake.

Two schools in Jeffrey's Bay have now committed to learn this method. This makes me extremely hopeful. If we can introduce this method to more and more schools, what positive influence will this be able to bring about in our educational system.

Now, I also have hope that there might be a method to teach reading in large classes, without leaving a large percentage of learners behind. If you, as a teacher, have a method that has been working in classes of 40/45+ in the area of teaching reading, please share that with us.

Evelyn

Secure

It is always refreshing to meet someone who has no desire to 

pretend and also has an understanding of themselves and the

value they bring in terms of their work.

Last week I had my first Tutor Training in Cradock.  I am 

going to help the ACVV to start an After-care Tutoring 

facility, so they send two ladies that are going to be 

tutors with me there.  It was one of these ladies that 

inspired these positive thoughts in me.  It is so good 

when people are secure in who they are.  It is then when 

they can contribute and play their part in society. 

Every person's contribution is unique and valuable. 

May that be an inspiration to each one who reads this blog.

I am also looking forward this week to a meeting that I 

am invited to on Sunday 4 February 2018 at the Anglican 

Church in Lingelihle, Cradock. Like-minded people are 

going to come together there to discuss together how 

Education can be advanced in the community.  Fr. Zweli Tom 

has also asked me to say a few words to introduce the 

Sophakama Tutor Programme.  I hope that I am able to 

communicate the potential that the STP has to give hope 

again to children that have lost hope to be educated and 

have a bright future.

In November 2017 I finally did do training in Pellsrus 

Primary School.  7 Ladies attended the training in 2 

sessions.  I am still in communication with the school 

and hope to do a follow-up in March.  I feel it is 

important to persist in this relationship for the sake 

of the children in need.

May you also be encouraged to continue the good work 

that you are involved with.  It is crucial even if you 

don't see change soon.

Evelyn (growing roots in Cradock, Karoo)