Nov 2006 update

Nov 1: RT Nagar tamil school DSF volunteers meeting

Some of the main points that came up were

1. In the 1.5 hours time are we able to contribute enough ( sthg? )

2. Has our focus are got expanded from giving just "reading
ability and improving reading habit" to " comprehension, grammar,
speaking etc". We have too less a time to do all of these.

3. The plan to have a rigourous teaching sesions, based on the
material of Mumbai based NGO. The volunteers could do the
follow up activity.

4. Probably books could be given to kids and asked to read. Next time
we meet we could ask them if they understood.

5. Because the class has a variety of students - Bad, Average, Good (B,A,G)
probably we are not able to deliver the goods.

6. Is the preparation for the class sufficient?

7. Plan for Nov 4 session -
With 4 volunteers, do an assessment of the kids - "read words, read sentences"
to split the class into B, A, G

Try teaching B, A - how to read a word

Try teaching G - how to read and comprehend sentences

So that the volunteers get a better understanding of the kids

At the end: Make a decision as to how to run the HippoCampus from now on.
May be split the class into 2 ( two volunteers assumed ) and run reading session
as well as give individual attention to the other group with the other volunteer.

Nov 4 Session:

As per our plan we could assess the kids in a more personal way.

We could see atleast 4 kids - Alli, Karthik, Kanaga & Silambarasan
who were "very weak"
Rajeshwari Madam said she would try to club these students with
other good students - sort of a coaching - and improve them .
It was good to see her spirit. We are also lucky to work with
such motivated teachers.

Also we decided, Ayannaar & Mani would not require the 9-10 class
( were kids would be shown how to read simple sentences )
to be handled by Swathi / Anitha / Desingh. Instead they would read
some simple books at that time.

People who have done the Hippocampus already will also get to read
tougher books at that time.

The point is to expect a improvement in reading habits, say in two months
time. Before Pongal holidays, we would do another assessment. We will
work along with teachers towards this target.

Nov 11 Session 's responsibility is with Swathi

Nov 18 Session 's responsibility is with Ambica / Anitha

One Nov 18 , after the session gets over we will sit and prepare all the
materials required for the rest of the sessions. we will also discuss
on the method of conducting the sessions. Responsibility is mine.

Swathi should you send a mail to Rajini reg the latest status and our
plans? Do reply on this.

Sundari to get some books from your home.

In Nov- Dec we will try to finish as many books as possible.

Desingh to think along " Visual words " to complement Swathi s sentences ..