Simon Namesho
Lecturers and students from Unam’s Khomasdal Campus recently visited the Monte Christo Primary Project School to show off the books they created and model the teaching skills they were taught.
Thirty-five students from the School of Education’s Department of Early Childhood Education and Care were accompanied by three language lecturers – Helga Kaurora, Jacolynn van Wyk and Jessica Jansen – on their visit to the school situated in the Havana informal settlement of Windhoek.
The students created their own Big Books in English as well as several other Namibian languages. They were encouraged to use recycled material and integrate themes from Environmental Studies in their stories.
Their Arts Education skills enabled them to create the books.
In collaboration with principal Elizabeth Murangi and two grade 3 teachers – Violety Jansen and Uno Murangi – the students were afforded the opportunity to show off these big books and model the skills they were taught.
The school visit was supported by Deep Sea Investments, who sponsored fruit, juice and chips for the learners and students.
“We have a lack of story books, and this project gives us ideas to make our own and foster the culture of reading in our learners,” said the principal.
“I am so glad we visited the school; the interaction with the learners was good – and seeing how well my book worked with the activities I developed gave me ideas on how to improve,” one student remarked.
The Read-Aloud project strives to narrow the gap between theory and practice, promote literacy and language development and enhance work-integrated learning experiences.
It ties in with the mission of the school of education to provide quality teaching and promote educational technology as well as innovative best practices.