Resources
Learning more about literacy
Welcome to our links to improving literacy! Here you will find inspiring resources and ideas to assist your child in their help2read session or as a parent to use at home. These tools ensure that reading is a fun activity that any child can enjoy.
You will also find links to individuals or organisations that are doing fantastic work in the field of literacy. Many of these sites have additional resources and advice one can use.
Literacy resources
The Dolch List
The Dolch words are the 220 most frequently found words in books that children read. These words are usually learned in first and second grad. Students who learn these words have a good base for beginning reading. Many of these words cannot be sounded out because they do not follow decoding rules, so they must be learned as sight words.
- Click here for a list of the words.
- Click here for the Speed Wizard game using Dolch words.
Another idea is to have a “grab bag” filled with cut-outs of the Dolch list. Ask the child to pick out a word, read it and then search for it in the book you are reading.
The Basic Reading Activities Pack
The Basic Reading Activities pack has been compiled with a remedial specialist, Mandy Kowarski, and is a fantastic resource for volunteers and parents to use. It contains fun reading games and activities to assist children in learning basic phonics and rhyme amongst other topics.
Click here for the pack
Literacy links (South Africa)
Literacy for All
Literacy for All provides primary classroom readers in each of South Africa’s official languages, backed by a teacher’s guide, learner’s workbooks and teacher training.
www.literacyforall.co.za
Biblionef
Biblionef SA donates books (in all 11 official languages) to disadvantaged schools across South Africa.
www.biblionefsa.org.za
www.biblionef.com
LEAP Science and Maths Schools
LEAP Science and Maths Schools in Cape Town and Johannesburg - addressing the inequalities in the South African education system.
www.leapschool.org.za
Wordworks
This organisation supports early literacy and language development. Wordworks empowers parents to work in the home. This website contains valuable links to essential resources one can use at home or in reading sessions.
www.wordworks.org.za
Rene Lighton
Renee is a trained life coach, author and motivational speaker. Her passion is educational coaching. On her site you will be inspired. Have a look at her upcoming workshops and valuable resources. Renee is often seen at help2read volunteer workshops.
www.reneelighton.co.za