Reading Is FUNdamental!

The ‘library’ at the Hella Kunda Lower Basic School is an unused classroom. There are two bookcases. Only two shelves have books suitable for children. The other books are textbooks from the 70”s and 80’s, an incomplete set of encyclopedias, and assorted outdated curriculum from the Gambian school system. There is not much to work with. The teachers don’t really utilize the library as a library, and the students have no idea how.
(I think it’s a crime not to use a library, books have been my friends for years.)
As a ‘mini-project’ I talked to the school head mistress about working with the students and teachers to use the library. The teachers and school staff worked to clean the room and make it usable. There are several tables and chairs for student use. And it was my job to teach the kids how to use the library.
I interrupted the 5th and 6th graders lesson and instructed the students to line up. (Anyone who has been in an elementary school lately knows that lining up is not easy, in America and Africa.) In the library we discussed how to use a library, how to treat books (Don’t let your baby brother tear the pages, etc.) and formulated a list of Library Rules. The kids were very receptive and had a good idea of what to do; they just hadn’t had a chance to practice! Each student chose a book to check out and return the next week. I read some books out loud to finish the ‘lesson.’ Again, the students were very receptive, and enjoyed the simple picture books. Most don’t get exposed to books outside of school, and even in school they rarely use books other than the Gambian textbooks.
For the 3rd and 4th graders we discussed the library and the rules, but didn’t check out books. Most of the books were too complex for solo reading at the student’s current level of comprehension. I read aloud, and the favorite book was Dr. Seuss’ Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?.
The 1st and 2nd graders also learned the rules and I read to them. Their English comprehension is pretty low, and I’m not sure how much they actually understood. To me, that means reading aloud is even more important. Exposing them to English words and books will help them in a school system where they are expected to know English without ever being formally taught. Since the first lesson I returned once to read more books and help the 5th and 6th graders return their books. School went on summer vacation in mid June, so the library lessons stopped, but will resume once school starts back up in September. Eventually, I would like to see the teachers reading to the students, and integrating the library as part of the curriculum. Maybe we can even get the village to invest in buying some more books!