Workbooks to make learning a breeze

Written by Samona Murugan

The Department of Basic Education has committed itself to improving the literacy and numeracy skills of all learners. To achieve this the department has produced a series of workbooks to assist learners. This year the department will distribute 54 million workbooks to learners.

What are workbooks?

Each workbook is made up of 128 easy-to- follow worksheets for listening, reading and writing skills. The workbooks are organised into four worksheets per week, divided over eight weeks per term.

All workbooks comply with the latest Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). Each year a learner will get two workbooks for each subject. Workbook 1 will be used from January to June and Workbook 2 from June to December.

Workbooks are distributed free of charge to learners in Grades R to nine. Grade R learners will receive four books per year.

What is the point of workbooks?

They provide every learner with worksheets to practice the language and numeracy skills they have been taught in class. Workbooks are also meant to help teachers track the progress of learners and provide extra support if needed.

They are a simple way to structure learning activities for learners. Each child will own the workbooks. This means they can take them home and write in them.

Do workbooks replace textbooks?

No. Workbooks are meant to be used with textbooks. They save the teacher from writing exercises and preparing their own worksheets.

The following workbooks will be available in 2013:

Grade R: One integrated book per term, which will include language, mathematics and life skills. The books will be distributed in all 11 official languages.

Home Languages: Grades 1 - 6 will receive two workbooks, which will be available in all 11 official languages.

First Additional Language: Grades 1 - 6 will receive two workbooks, which will be avail- able in English and Afrikaans only.

Mathematics: Grades 1 - 3 will receive two workbooks, which will be available in all 11 official languages.

Mathematics: Grades 4 - 9 will receive two workbooks in English only, with Afrikaans available on the department’s website.

Life Skills: Grades 1 - 3 will receive two workbooks, which will be available in all 11 official languages.

Natural Science and Technology: Grades 4 - 6 will receive two workbooks, which will be available in English and Afrikaans only.

All workbooks will also be available in Braille and large print for the visually challenged.

Principals are urged to check that the work- books they receive are of the correct quantity, in the correct languages and not damaged. Principals must report any errors to the call centre on 086 100 4357 or SMS 39864 (free).

To ensure all schools have access to work- books throughout the year, they have been loaded on the department’s website at www.education.gov.za and are available for free download.