Stories from Thames Valley |
BY DIANNE WARD I teach literacy for the Thames Valley School Board at the Woodstock District Developmental Services. I work with 40 very unique, creative, fun-loving students. Most of the classes are on-site where the students work. The students are upgrading their math and reading skills. They use their computer programs and are eager to improve their typing skills so they can type their favourite stories and letters, or make a card for a special occasion. We now have seven students with computers in their homes. We encourage the students to save their money and buy second-hand computers at a reasonable price. The students are responsible for the upkeep and buying their own programs. The two students' stories submitted are examples of how a computer has added a new dimension to their lives, and I am very proud of their accomplishments. Nancy and Bill have only had their computer a few months but already have more successes and learning experiences. Presently this specific class is working on a money project. We have contacted a company to sell cards, using and learning communication skills, sales taxes, profit making and money skills. The computer is going to help us out immensely as we are keeping all of our records on a disk and can see instantly how many cards have been sold, who they have been sold to, and of course the profit we are making. All the money made is going back to the students for more materials and a small Christmas party. Our literacy program has a number of level 1 and level 2 learners, and I would love to hear from others where we could obtain useful programs for our computers.
Editor's note: If you have any software suggestions for Dianne, she can be contacted at Woodstock and District Developmental Services in Woodstock, Ontario at (519) 539- 7447 or fax her at: (519) 539-7332. LITERACY HAS HELPED ME GET A JOB BY MARGARET MINIELLY Let me tell you how literacy has helped me at my new job. I put labels on files and I had to know how to read or I wouldn't have got this job. I am able to socialize with all the staff because my teacher and I talk a lot. I was able to go in for the interview. I used to go to Blossom Park but I could not get transportation there. Dianne comes to my home once a week and shows me how to use my computer. She gives me math and I like working in the Ontario Reader book. I had a computer for 3 years and I never used it but now since I take literacy I use it all the time. I enjoy it and I like literacy a lot. In the year 2000 1 want to write a story about my dog Homer. I take literacy from the Thames Valley District School Board. SAVE UP FOR A COMPUTER BY NANCY TAYLOR My husband BILL and I have dream of owning our computer for many years. We saved our money for 1 year. My teacher Dianne WARD came to class and brought a computer and taught me how to use it. We have math and phonics programs. Soon our computer will be ours. DIANNE WARD found a man who sells computers, his name is RYAN BERGMAN. |
