Reading is FUN!! Try convincing girls that barely know how to read and only know reading as an activity they must "perform" in school as fast as they can without making any mistakes, lest the whole class correct them, thereby shaming them. Reading CANNOT be fun under those circumstances. You can't even learn if that is your approach to reading. It's simply a command you do to please the teacher and pass the class. You memorize information. Reading is NOT FUN here. Reading is scary.
So 16 girls and I joined on an adventure together to see if we could make a dent in their impression of reading. We read several books together. We combined learning some English with learning to read for FUN and for learning. I found this awesome website. A Mighty Girl has an awesome message out there for girls to believe in themselves and to use books to unleash their potential. I wanted to give this to these girls as well.
We read "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein, "You are Special" by Max Lucado, "Because I Love You" by Max Lucado and a few other books with great messages. We played tons of games to practice English and play with words and have FUN with each other. We spent 2 hours twice a week together in our new space above our house.
Each girl hungered for affirmation. They loved hearing "you are special." They couldn't get enough of it when I gave them each a note saying just that. They had a hard time getting the deeper meanings of all the books. But I think we cracked into some hearts with the idea that books contain knowledge and knowledge contains power and that is available to them.
They each got a certificate at the end of the class and their very own book. I tried to pour into their heads and hearts over and over again that they are important and special. I know if they can believe this about themselves it will lead them to hunt for Truth. Ultimately that is what I want. Smart girls are awesome. Mighty Girls are amazing. But girls who find the Truth are unstoppable!
It was a stressful experience for me to prepare each day before the class. I struggled with how to really reach them. How to teach, but to not just have it bounce back at me. I spent many hours going over ideas and searching the internet until I found just the right thing. I would dread going up there to try to balance it all, but at the end of each class, I was on a high! They didn't need much. They just wanted affirmation and attention.
Was so thankful for this girl who helped lead the way for everyone and provided an amazing example! What fun to serve together!
Each girl was so precious to me. Each one found a special place in my heart. I love this little red head. She is strong and smart.
Here's the gang with some original art on the right that we all made together and our central theme: A Mighty Girl!
They each took home a cupcake...since it was Ramadan and everyone was fasting.
I learned a lot about myself and about the girls this summer through this time. I would love to keep something going. I am praying that God will give me fresh ideas that I can balance in with the rest of my schedule so I can still reach out and touch those sweet girls.
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