Talking Stories

Take a look at these pictures of our recent visit to Lusikisiki District in the Eastern Cape – showing rural multigrade schools how to use the Talking Stories software.

The software for Talking Stories has been installed in most schools in the Western Cape and 2nd, 3rd and 4th visits involving training and technical support are well underway. Visit 2 consists of demo lessons for Grades 1-3 Foundation Phase educators in the lab, with classes of 20 learners per grade. This is followed by a combined training session for all Foundation Phase educators after school. Visit 3 involves technical support including follow-up on any previous problems, the fixing of minor technical issues, and CeI fault reporting on major technical issues.

Reports on schools that have received visit 2 (training), and 3 (technical), and 4 (check-up) are published below. The “notes” page will be of particular interest to district co-ordinators and facilitators.

“SchoolVisit2.3.4″ in the file extension indicates that visits 2, 3 and 4 have taken place.  Reports are updated and uploaded on completion of each school visit, so watch this space!

SchoolVisit2.3.4_639_ACJ-Phakade-Phakade_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_674_Andile_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_570_Ashton Public Comb

SchoolVisit2.3_568_Avian Park Primary_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_643_Bardale_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_668_Bloekombos_edited

School Visit 2.3_593_Bonga-Lower_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_583_Bongolethu_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_675_Bongolethu_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_579_Chris Nissen_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_630_Chuma_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_606_Chumisa_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_552_Dalubuhle_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_653_Delft-South_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_703_Diazville_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_665_Du-Noon_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_704_Eden_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_669_Ekuthuleni_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_735_Eluxolweni_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_607_Encotsheni_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_670_Enkululenkweni_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_687_Faku_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_571_Garden-Route_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_556_Groenheuwel_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_688_Heinz-Park_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_655_Hlengisa_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_631_Hlula-Street

SchoolVisit2.3_584_H-M-Dlikidla_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_608_Homba_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_553_Ikaya_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_609_Ikhusi_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_620_Ikwezi-leSizwe_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_656_Imbasa_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_557_Imboniselo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_572_Imekhaya_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_632_Impendulo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_671_Imvumelwano_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_610_Injongo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_621_Intshayalelo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_573_Isalathiso_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_611_Isikhokelo

SchoolVisit2.3.4_622_Isiphiwo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_657_Kairos_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_696_Khanya_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_697_Kleinmond_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_623_Kukhanyile

SchoolVisit2.3.4_633_Kuyasa_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_558_Langabuya_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_551_Lehlohonolo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_659_Leiden_Primary_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_658_Leiden-Avenue-Primary_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_595_Litha_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_679_Liwa_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_698_Lukhanyo

SchoolVisit2.3_624_Luleka_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_596_Luzuko_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_625_Lwandle_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_597_Lwazi_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_699_Masakhane

SchoolVisit2.3.4_705_Masiphathisane_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_634_Masiphumelele_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_689_Masivuke_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_660_Masonwabe_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_559_Mbekweni_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_604_Mfuleni_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_680_Mkhanyiseli_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_574_MM Mateza_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_587_Mokone_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_588_Moshesh_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_598_Mseki_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_585_Murraysburg_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_576 _Mzoxolo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_690_Naluxolo

SchoolVisit2.3.4_702_Naphakade_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_561_Nduli_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_635_Nkazimlo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_569_Nkqubela_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_612_Nolungile_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_683_Nomlinganiselo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_636_Nomsa-Mapongwana_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_637_Noxolo-Xauka

SchoolVisit2.3.4_613_Ntwasahlobo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_605_Nyameko_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_706_Panorama_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_580_Phakamisani_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_564_P J B Cona_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_649_Protea-Park_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_661_Qingqa-Mntwana

SchoolVisit2.3_647_Rainbow_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_614_Sakumlandela_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_691_Samora Machel

SchoolVisit2.3_565_Sibabalwe_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_662_Sigcawu_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_663_Sikelela Imizamo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3._640_Silukhanyo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_615_Sivile_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_638_Sivuyisen-Publ_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_589_Siyabulela_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_566_Siyafuneka

SchoolVisit2.3.4_692_Siyazakkha_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_599_Siyazingisa_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_616_Sobambisana_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_600_Sokhanyo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_641_Solomon-Qatyana_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_684_Sonwabo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_626_Sosebenza_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_627_Soyisile_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_590_St-Louis_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_664_Sunray_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_581_The Crags_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_736_Tembaletu_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_577_Thembalethu_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_591_Thembani

SchoolVisit2.3_582_Thembelitsha_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_575_T-M-Ndanda_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_650_Trevor-Manuel

SchoolVisit2.3_578_Tyholora_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_673_Ukhanyo

SchoolVisit2.3.4_617_Ummangaliso_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_642_Umnqophiso_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_628_Umthawelanga_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_567_Van-Cutsem-Combined

SchoolVisit2.4_707b_Vergenoeg_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_601_Vukukhanye_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_618_Vuselela_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_602_Vuyani_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_619_Vuzamanzi_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_694_Weltevreden Valley Core

SchoolVisit2.3.4_651_Wesfleur_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_562_W-F-Loots_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_560_Windmeul_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_603_Xolani_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_629_Yomelela_edited

SchoolVisit2.3.4_695_Zanemfundo_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_592_Zimasa_edited

SchoolVisit2.3_701_Zwelihle

This coming weekend (1 to 3 April) all the Radical Learning staff and their families will be heading up into the Cederberg mountains for a weekend of rest and relaxation.  Beaverlac campsite is exquisitely beautiful, with the Ratel and Olifants rivers cutting through stunning rock formations, creating deep pools and waterfalls.  

We’ll pitch our tents amongst the trees and enjoy braai-ing and chatting late into the night, looking up at the stars that are so much brighter and closer here!  During the day we’ll walk and swim and snooze and eat ice creams from the excellent farm shop.Click here to find out more information about  Beaverlac.   

For all those joining us, click here for directions.

We will meet you up there on Friday evening, with fires and food supplied.  Please bring your own breakfasts and lunches.  We’re thinking of doing potjies on Saturday evening… if we have enough pots between us.  So bring what you can and we will supply the evening meal.  If you are one of those super-duper potjie people, then please make yourself known, and send a shopping list for groceries!

Don’t forget your swimming costumes and walking shoes… or alternatively your comfy armchair and a good book.

At the beginning of this year the Western Cape Education Department ordered the Talking Stories software and a range of reading books, for all isiXhosa schools in the province.  I am happy to report that all the books and other classroom resources (alphabet charts, word cards, sentence strips, big books) have been delivered to every school.

We have installed the software in computer labs at most of the schools, conducted training sessions and provided technical support.  If you would like to check the status of individual schools, please click on the school reports listed below.  Those with the word “edited” at the end have had the software installed and received the first session of training and technical support.  These reports will be very informative to district coordinators and facilitators.  The “Notes” page is particularly useful in tracking technical problems at each school.

SchoolVisit1_551_Lehlohonolo_edited
SchoolVisit1_552_Dalubuhle_edited
SchoolVisit1_553_Ikaya_edited
SchoolVisit1_554_Kayamandi
SchoolVisit1_555_Nondzame
SchoolVisit1_556_Groenheuwel
SchoolVisit1_557_Imboniselo_edited
SchoolVisit1_558_Langabuya_edited
SchoolVisit1_559_Mbekweni_edited
SchoolVisit1_560_Windmeul_edited
SchoolVisit1_561_Nduli_edited
SchoolVisit1_562_W F Loots_edited
SchoolVisit1_563_Iris Qwela
SchoolVisit1_564_P J B Cona_edited
SchoolVisit1_565_Sibabalwe_edited
SchoolVisit1_566_Siyafuneka
SchoolVisit1_567_Van Cutsem Combined
SchoolVisit1_568_Avian Park Primary_edited
SchoolVisit1_569_Nkqubela_edited
SchoolVisit1_570_Ashton Public Comb
SchoolVisit1_571_Garden Route_edited
SchoolVisit1_572_Imekhaya
SchoolVisit1_573_Isalathiso_edited
SchoolVisit1_574_MM Mateza_edited
SchoolVisit1_575_T M Ndanda
SchoolVisit1_576_Mzoxolo
SchoolVisit1_577_Thembalethu_edited
SchoolVisit1_578_Tyholora_edited
SchoolVisit1_579_Chris Nissen_edited
SchoolVisit1_580_Phakamisani_edited
SchoolVisit1_581_The Crags_edited
SchoolVisit1_582_Thembelitsha edited
SchoolVisit1_583_Bongolethu
SchoolVisit1_584_H M Dlikidla
SchoolVisit1_585_Murraysburg
SchoolVisit1_586_Oranjekloof
SchoolVisit1_587_Mokone_edited
SchoolVisit1_588_Moshesh_edited
SchoolVisit1_589_Siyabulela_edited
SchoolVisit1_590_St Louis_edited
SchoolVisit1_591_Thembani_edited
SchoolVisit1_592_Zimasa_edited
SchoolVisit1_593_Bonga Lower_edited
SchoolVisit1_594_Intshinga
SchoolVisit1_595_Litha_edited
SchoolVisit1_596_Luzuko_edited
SchoolVisit1_597_Lwazi_edited
SchoolVisit1_598_Mseki_edited
SchoolVisit1_599_Siyazingisa_edited
SchoolVisit1_600_Sokhanyo_edited
SchoolVisit1_601_Vukukhanye_edited
SchoolVisit1_602_Vuyani_edited
SchoolVisit1_603_Xolani_edited
SchoolVisit1_604_Mfuleni_edited
SchoolVisit1_605_Nyameko_edited
SchoolVisit1_606_Chumisa_edited
SchoolVisit1_607_Encotsheni_edited
SchoolVisit1_608_Homba_edited
SchoolVisit1_609_Ikhusi_edited
SchoolVisit1_610_Injongo_edited
SchoolVisit1_611_Isihokelo_edited
SchoolVisit1_612_Nolungile_edited
SchoolVisit1_613_Ntwasahlobo_edited
SchoolVisit1_614_Sakumlandela_edited
SchoolVisit1_615_Sivile_edited
SchoolVisit1_616_Sobambisana_edited
SchoolVisit1_617_Ummangaliso_edited
SchoolVisit1_618_Vuselela_edited
SchoolVisit1_619_Vuzamanzi_edited
SchoolVisit1_620_Ikwezi leSizwe_edited
SchoolVisit1_621_Intshayalelo_edited
SchoolVisit1_622_Isiphiwo_edited
SchoolVisit1_623_Kukhanyile
SchoolVisit1_624_Luleka_edited
SchoolVisit1_625_Lwandle_edited
SchoolVisit1_626_Sosebenza_edited
SchoolVisit1_627_Soyisile_edited
SchoolVisit1_628_Umthawelanga_edited
SchoolVisit1_629_Yomelela_edited
SchoolVisit1_630_Chuma_edited
SchoolVisit1_631_Hlula Street
SchoolVisit1_632_Impendulo_edited
SchoolVisit1_633_Kuyasa_edited
SchoolVisit1_634_Masiphumelele_edited
SchoolVisit1_635_Nkazimlo_edited
SchoolVisit1_636_Nomsa Mapongwana_edited
SchoolVisit1_637_Noxolo Xauka_edited
SchoolVisit1_638_Sivuyisen Publ_edited
SchoolVisit1_639_ACJ Phakade Phakade_edited
SchoolVisit1_640_Silukhanyo_edited
SchoolVisit1_641_Solomon Qatyana_edited
SchoolVisit1_642_Umnqophiso_edited
SchoolVisit1_643_Bardale_edited
SchoolVisit1_644_Itsitsa
SchoolVisit1_645_Mzamomtsha
SchoolVisit1_646_Nal’lkamva
SchoolVisit1_647_Rainbow_edited
SchoolVisit1_648_Meulenhof
SchoolVisit1_649_Protea Park_edited
SchoolVisit1_650_Trevor Manuel_edited
SchoolVisit1_651_Wesfleur_edited
SchoolVisit1_652_Abedare
SchoolVisit1_653_Delft-South_edited
SchoolVisit1_654_Hindle Road West
SchoolVisit1_655_Hlengisa_edited
SchoolVisit1_656_Imbasa_edited
SchoolVisit1_657_Kairos_edited
SchoolVisit1_658_Leiden Avenue Primary_edited
SchoolVisit1_659_Leiden_Primary_edited
SchoolVisit1_660_Masonwabe_edited
SchoolVisit1_661_Qingqa-Mntwana_edited
SchoolVisit1_662_Sigcawu_edited
SchoolVisit1_663_Sikelela Imizamo_edited
SchoolVisit1_664_Sunray_edited
SchoolVisit1_665_Du Noon_edited
SchoolVisit1_666_Marconi Beam_edited
SchoolVisit1_667_Sophakama
SchoolVisit1_668_Bloekombos_edited
SchoolVisit1_669_Ekuthuleni_edited
SchoolVisit1_670_Enkululenkweni_edited
SchoolVisit1_671_Imvumelwano_edited
SchoolVisit1_672_Wallacedene
SchoolVisit1_673_Ukhanyo
SchoolVisit1_674_Andile_edited
SchoolVisit1_675_Bongolethu_edited
SchoolVisit1_676_Entshona
SchoolVisit1_677_John Pama
SchoolVisit1_678_Linge
SchoolVisit1_679_Liwa_edited
SchoolVisit1_680_Mkhanyiseli_edited
SchoolVisit1_681_Mzamomhle
SchoolVisit1_682_Nobantu
SchoolVisit1_683_Nomlinganiselo_edited
SchoolVisit1_684_Sonwabo_edited
SchoolVisit1_685_St Mary’s
SchoolVisit1_686_Walter Teka
SchoolVisit1_687_Faku_edited
SchoolVisit1_688_Heinz Park_edited
SchoolVisit1_689_Masivuke_edited
SchoolVisit1_690_Nal’uxolo_edited
SchoolVisit1_691_Samora Machel_edited
SchoolVisit1_692_Siyazakkha_edited
SchoolVisit1_693_Vukani
SchoolVisit1_694_Weltevreden Valley Core_edited
SchoolVisit1_695_Zanemfundo_edited
SchoolVisit1_696_Khanya_edited
SchoolVisit1_697_Kleinmond_edited
SchoolVisit1_698_Lukhanyo_edited
SchoolVisit1_699_Masakhane_edited
SchoolVisit1_700_Umyezo Wama Apile
SchoolVisit1_701_Zwelihle
SchoolVisit1_702_Naphakade_edited
SchoolVisit1_703_Diazville
SchoolVisit1_704_Eden_edited
SchoolVisit1_705_Masiphathisane_edited
SchoolVisit1_706_Panorama
SchoolVisit1_707_Vredendal-Noord_edited
SchoolVisit1_707b_Vergenoeg_edited
SchoolVisit1_735_Eluxolweni_edited
SchoolVisit1_736_Tembaletu_edited

This video shows Severn Suzuki speaking at the UN Earth Summit in Rio de Jabeiro, at the age of 12.  It was a powerful speech!  Sadly, this speech was delivered in 1992 – eighteen years ago.  Clearly the world leaders did not heed her powerful message.

If we interviewed the children of South Africa, I wonder what they would want to say to the adults of our nation?  As teachers we are in a unique position to hear what our children have to say.  Let’s all resolve to take a little time between the telling and teaching, to stop and listen.  We can learn important lessons from children too.

Level 1

In the classroom this week: Learn to read this term’s key words. 

Don’t forget to keep revising alphabet sounds for those children who haven’t yet mastered these.  Here’s a LOTTO GAME you can print out and play with your children.  Make enough copies for everyone to have their own sheet Then play in groups.  It’s a great way for little ones to practice matching and saying alphabet sounds.

In the computer lab this week:

Talking Story – Level 1 Advanced, “The beetle and the butterfly” continued.

This week’s talking story is about two tiny animals.  See if you can name all the animals in this activity: Animal Names
Drag the name onto the picture.  If you get it right, the name will turn green.

The theme of our Talking Story this week is that we can all do something well.  Here is another Talking Story with the same theme:
I Can Do That, Said Jack  Use it for whole class story time – with computer, data projector or interactive whiteboard.

Level 2

In the classroom this week: If you have an interactive whiteboard, then use the video below to reinforce alphabet sounds this week.  Your children will love to sing along!  This week you should also carefully work through this term’s new key words with your children.  Ensure they are learning to read them at home too!

In the computer lab this week:

Talking Story – Level 2 Advanced, “Lost!” continued.

Here’s another interactive story about getting lost:
THE LOST CYGNET
And here’s some useful practical advice to share with your class:
WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET LOST

Level 3

In the classroom this week: This week you need to go through all of this term’s key words with your class.  Also, start making a weather chart, to tie in with your Talking Story.  You will find an excellent template in the printable activity that comes with the Talking Story.

In the computer lab this week: 

Talking Story – Level 3 Advanced, “Weather”. Continued.

Here’s another great interactive weather story to enjoy.  It’s particularly good to use on an interactive whiteboard, where children can join in…. But it can be used on any other computer too:
WEATHER STORY

The fourth term rushes by in a blur of assessments, report-writing and end-of-year events and parties.  But don’t forget we still have two months’ worth of wonderful Talking Stories and great learning activities. 

This week, send home the key word assessments that you did with your children at the end of last term.  This keeps parents up to date with their children’s progress and shows them what revision is needed this term.

Level 1

In the classroom this week: Send home Grade 1, Term 4 letter. Send home key word assessment from the end of last term. Send home Level 1, List 3 key words for this term.

In the computer lab this week:

Talking Story – Level 1 Advanced, “The beetle and the butterfly”.

Level 2

In the classroom this week: Send home Grade 2, Term 4 letter. Send home key word assessment from the end of last term. Send home Level 2, List 4 key words for this term. (2 pages)

In the computer lab this week:

Talking Story – Level 2 Advanced, “Lost!”.

Level 3

In the classroom this week: Send home Grade 3, Term 4 letter. Send home key word assessment from the end of last term. Send home Level 3, List 3 key words for this term. (2 pages)

In the computer lab this week: 

Talking Story – Level 3 Advanced, “Weather”.

While many of you South African teachers are enjoying a well-earned break from school, the Radical Learning team is attending Education Week Expo in Johannesburg.  We’re enjoying conference presentations and workshops on a range of subjects, but particularly focusing on technology in education.  When we head back to Cape Town we will be enthused and inspired and full of great new ideas to share with you in training sessions!

We have also had the opportunity to share the brilliance of Talking Stories with conference delegates, many of whom are grappling with the requirements of the new (CAPS) curriculum for next year.  First aditional language must be taught from Grade 1, and given almost as much time on the timetable as home language.  Many of you already know that Talking Stories is THE best material available for building a bridge from home language to first additional language.  We’re delighted at the warm response we have received from delegates here.  We were thrilled to have the opportunity for a 45 minute live discussion on national radio on Day 1.  Clearly South Africa is sitting up and taking note of the wonderful success of Talking Stories for primary school literacy teaching!

 It’s the last week of term!

Assessments should have been completed last week, and now it’s time to have some fun.  Let your children choose their favourite Talking Story this week.  They will enjoy revisiting a story they know and doing the activities confidently.

Then treat yourselves and visit:

The Amazing Adventure Series

This is a wonderful, interactive site where your kids can have great learning fun.  Start with an adventure.  Click and drag the magnifying glass to choose a story or poem or cinema adventure.  The music, pictures and read-along sound support help to make this a very engaging story time for children.

Have fun and enjoy the school holiday.  See you back here soon!