The Bigger Story in Every Book

 

They literally run to the guest house if they see the books are out. Somehow along the way of developing an English reading initiative here at Hot Springs, we’ve managed to achieved the happy goal of making reading fun.

I think the prizes may have helped.

Here’s how it goes.

Whenever myself or any team from Highview comes for a visit, we read with the kids. They receive one check mark for every book that either they read (if it’s at their level and we’re working on word identification, spelling and such) or that is read to them (when it’s more about just hearing the words and rhythm of English). There are 30 books to a card. Each card is numbered.

When all the check marks on the card are filled, that evening the child will be invited to choose from a selection of prizes. The prizes get a bit more exciting the more cards you fill. Stickers and small note pads, little bracelets and wrist bands for Card One. Lego and hard cover books with CD’s and snowmen by the time you get to Card Five. And so much more in between.

We’re only here for two weeks, so five cards are probably all we’ll get to. I think. I hope. But when you are able to read in groups, and that counts as a check mark for each person in the group, and when you have a lovely little library of English readers at various levels, each card can actually fill up quite quickly. This time there will be two readers, Ken and myself, so that will help.

I should take the time here to thank once again everyone who participated in our Book Gathering campaign through Usborne Books a few years ago now. And also anyone who’s donated any others to our cause. It has sometimes taken several different trips to bring them all here, due to weight restrictions on luggage, but with this trip I have now transported all of your gifts of love.

Today we got started.

The kids are off school, so we were able to set ourselves up just before lunch. And we read and read and read.

English is a core part of the school curriculum in Thailand. The government recognizes the advantage of not just individual citizens, but the entire country, to be able to communicate well with the rest of the world. Children who show proficiencies in English, and who can further their language skills throughout high school, are often favoured for the kinds of programs that lead to better vocational opportunity.

We know that not all of our kids will excel in English. But if we can give them some exposure and make it fun, they are that much further ahead.

And in any case, they think it’s fun, we have fun, and it’s an easy, relaxed way to build our relationships with them.

If any of our kids achieve the completion of Card Five that will mean 150 books were read. And each book with so many English words…

This morning was a very good start. Ken's little group was made up entirely of the newer children here, and at first they were not quite sure what they were supposed to do. But with all of Ken's sound effects and antics (Does anybody know Robert Munch's "Andrew's Loose Tooth?" Yeah, like that.) they got into it soon enough.



In my group, I think we still favour the "That's Not My..." series (Cow, Snowman, Polar Bear, Elephant) for it's repetition. The "What is Poo?" book always seems to make it into the pile somehow (pun not intended).

Book titles notwithstanding, it all counts.

The more of life I have to look back on, the more I realize how much it’s the collection of little things that really matter in the end.
If check marks on a chart can add up to some happy prizes, so can the simple act of reading be part of a much bigger story.

Photo note: The snowmen I brought with me were originally donated to one of our online fundraisers by one of our Sponsors (Betty Ann Howes) and have now made their way here. The kids are fascinated with snow and snowmen, so this will really provide some good motivation.)

So happy whatever day it is when you are reading this.
For Ken and I right now it's Friday and almost time for lunch.

Jet lag is not packing as much of a punch by now, but we're still planning on an afternoon nap, just sayin.