Finally, after years and years, I've finally found some useful and usable fonts for making worksheets.
I know different provinces in South Africa use different fonts. But I've found 2 websites that have font's for you to freely download, and I'm going to also upload them here for you including another font that I was asked to use to make worksheets.
Parents might start to worry about their children's performance at school. I, unfortunately, can't help address everything that might be a problem. But I can start at the foundation.
If you wish to get some advice please message/comment to me. I will gladly help you where I can.
So this is my method on how kids should learn/practice their spelling in the afternoons.
Stuff you may need:
These are all optional or you can save money by just using scrap paper.
1x A4 lined book (Soft or hardcover)- To practice the words
1x A5 lined book (Soft or hardcover)-To test the words
This is usually when you get the children's spelling words.
Let them read through the words out loud to you.
In the A4 book (or scrap piece of paper) get the child to write out each word 7-10 times. (even if it's easy)
Now test them in the A5 book (or scrap piece of paper).
Let them mark their work (makes them learn to be honest with themselves)
Congratulate them (even if they got 2/10)
Tuesday till Test Day
Let them read through the words out loud to you.
In the A4 book (or scrap piece of paper) get the child to write out each word that they got wrong yesterday 7-10 times. (So if they got 2/10 they have to write out the 8 words they got writing out, or if the got 5/10 they have to write out only the 5 words they got wrong out)
This is the trick, the child will learn to focus more on the stuff they got wrong and try and fix it so they don't have to write out so many words the next day.
Now test them in the A5 book (or scrap piece of paper).
Let them mark their work.
Congratulate them.
Keep repeating this till test day
Tips and tricks
Play games
In the car get the child to spell out words for you.
See who can remember all the words
A reward chart for getting 10/10 at home and at school. (1 sticker at home and 2 stickers at school)
Use the words in a sentence (try to make funny sentences because those are easy to remember)
Pro's and Con's
Pro's
Improving fine motor skills (a.k.a handwriting)
meaning they can now try and write neater- but you might need to plead with them to do that, a reward chart may be needed for that.
Parent Bonding
you and your child start to bond with each other.
If they mark their own work the child becomes more responsible.
Improves concentration and focus.
Con's
Monday will be the longest if you have to sit with them.
I use "if" because if your child can do the writing out part by themselves then it won't be that long.
If the child isn't used to writing their hands might cramp up (stretch them out by making the high five symbol or stars).
The child might whine or complain at the beginning because it's a lot of work- see the rewards chart idea in tips and tricks.
I live in South Africa and had gone the path of taking a career of teaching. Though that wasn't how I started.
Studying
I started out studying a Bachelors in Human Movement, my idea was to be a personal trainer for people who want to loose weight and to get them to their best body. Not their skinniest or strongest form. Their best form, as I realized the body cannot be something your body isn't.
And I also wanted to teach kids how to accept their body as well. I guess I was trying to prevent kids from becoming obese or overweight.
During my studies I had met a guy who suggested to me that I should study education and use my major in Physical Education. So I got my Post Graduate Certificate in Education for Gr 4-9.
The Job Hunt
I then moved to Durban to be with said guy and start my career there. Well after a while I managed to get a small part time job at an Animal Farm. I got to help as a Guide for a Leadership Workshop for kids. I actually had fun, even though I was working with teenagers in high schools, and sometimes I had to help with farm tours for the little ones. So in essence I started getting used to grade R's to Matrics.
My sign for the classroom door
After a while I had to leave and start a new job as Library Educator! Yes that's right, I moved from studying the physical body to teaching how to use a Library. It really wasn't a big problem actually, I was quite clued up with computers, and I had been able to learn how to use iPad/tablets in classes. And I just was trained how the library software worked, and how to work with the kids, where and how did I make my lessons, what was expected of me, etc etc.
I adapted well enough, but 2 years ago my long term relationship came to an end, and I was at the point where I didn't know if teaching was even my thing. Yet I did enjoy it, but there was just something not right.
Back to the beginning
ANYWAY I made my return back to Port Elizabeth, and I needed to start a new. I had to do a lot of soul searching. Kinda realized I like computers. Let me learn about I.T. then, so eventually managed to get hold of a copy of an old A+ and bought an up to date IT Fundamentals. Lots of my friends were confused by why I needed those books as they felt I had a good understanding of the subject (confidence boost of note). I explained to them that in the end I was good, but was missing some stuff, so I started to study and I managed to get an Au pairing job with 3 lovely kids. Yup they were a handful, but I was used to teaching up to 35 kids in one class, 3 was easy.
Realizing something is missing in South Africa
Fast forwarding quite a bit, I learnt now that I like tutoring, working with small groups of kids, and the there are lots of resources in South Africa, but teachers and parents don't know about it.
Plus with today's modern aged Technology of tablets, YouTube and other stuff, parents are loosing control of their children. Especially parents that don't have lots of money to spend of protection apps and software for phones and computers, or hire a psychologist for parents that have a child or children that have "learning difficulties" or "attention difficulties". I'm not saying that there aren't children out there that don't have genuine problems, but sometimes children are just lazy or impatient (with things around them or with themselves). Another thing is children haven't got the skill to be patient (i'm not joking it's actually a skill that must be learnt).
Purpose of my Blog
My purpose of this Blog is for me to inform you as teachers or as parents how to help your child(ren). There are resources like apps, video's, worksheets to help your child of any age. I want to be able to help parents find. And I will try keep it budget friendly.
Have a look at my first video on YouTube for a better idea of me or just for a laugh . Enjoy
