According to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, 78 per cent of Grade 4 learners in South Africa are not able to read for meaning. This alarming fact is one of the reasons why literacy campaigns are vital and this is a principle that King David Victory Park shares.
On World Read Aloud Day, 5 February, their high school learners participated in the global acts of the day by reading stories of their own creation, and those of published authors, to the Grade 1 to 3s of King David Ariel.
English teacher and teacher-in-charge of Writing Club and Slam Poetry Ronel Klatzkin explained the potential outcome of such a campaign. “Showing young children that reading can be accessible, through modelling and peer interaction, is a way to encourage those who might be struggling with literacy.”
ALSO READ: World read aloud day –Literacy is not a luxury; it’s a right and a responsibility’
Klatzin shared that the high school learners formed part of the school’s extra-mural groups, Writing Club and Slam Poetry. One of those learners, budding poet and writer Kate Lange, expressed her aim while participating in reading aloud to the younger Grade 2 learners, “We are here to show you how much fun reading can be, and one day when you get to high school, you can write stories too.”
At the end of it all a relationship was formed between the high school learners and their primary school counterparts. Klatzin shared, “It was heart-warming to watch the connections being forged by the high school learners and primary school learners. One young boy wanted to give his reading buddy a chocolate, others invited the high school learners to play on the jungle gym. Reading together not only creates positive associations with literacy, but also creates bonds and builds confidence.”
Professor Ernest Morrell, author of several works on literacy studies, suggested, “More than the academic benefits, the most important thing about reading aloud to a child is giving them the gift of the joy of reading.”
King David Victory Park high school learners are taking these words to heart, by doing their part in sharing a love of literacy.
