Christmas Holidays

 Turn Around is closed until Tuesday 4th January.

We hope you have a safe and restful holiday.

New students are always welcome, call 07794385553 or email: info@turnaroundcharity.org.uk to book an appointment slot.

Summer Holidays

Turn Around is currently open by appointment only, with Covid protocols in place.

We close for the summer holidays from Monday 9th August and reopen on Monday 6^th September.

We will review the need for protocols before we reopen.

 

Turn Around Reading Club Title No. 5

 Dear Readers 

I hope you are enjoying the reading selections so far. If you have any recommendations for the Reading Club please let me know. 

I would be remiss not to include prolific short story writer, Anton Chekhov, in the selection. This week's title is The Witch by Anton Chekhov

The Turn Around Reading Club Title No. 5

In this quirky tale of events, one stormy night, in the middle of nowhere, Savely Gykin just wants to go to bed at the same time as his chickens, and not have to worry about his wife, Raissa, being a witch.

Turn Around Reading Club - Title No. 4

 This is a Tlingit, Northwest Coastal Indian, witchcraft origin story or the plot for a perfect murder. Spoiler alert you have to learn to fly first.

Origin of Witchcraft - Tlingit, Northwest Coast

Turn Around Reading Club - Title No. 3

 Dear Readers

I don’t think Captain Kirk or Picard had to face this storyline, but Star Trek fans out there may prove me wrong. Not for the faint-hearted and in honour of the Nasa Mars Rover crew naming the historic landing site after the Sci-Fi author, Octavia E Butler.
 

The Turn Around Reading Club - Title No. 3 

Bloodchild by Octavia E Butler

Turn Around Reading Club - Title No. 2

Dear Readers

I hope you have had a chance to read last week's title by Charles Dickens 

This week's title is from a collection of short stories - Sleep No More  by P.D.James

You can read online here 

         A Very Desirable Residence by P.D.James

A posh des res, the kind one would snap up, for some 

a dream home even, but for others maybe an unimaginable 

nightmare. P.D.James does her unsettling best as she 

looks behind the façade of a very desirable residence.

Possible points for discussion 

Compare the narrators of the first two pieces. 

How do they affect your perception of the story? 

Did your perception change as you were reading?

I hope you enjoy!

World Book Day 2021 - The Turn Around Reading Club.

Struggling to read a whole book? Join the Turn Around Reading Club. Each week we will recommend a short story, novella, essay or long form article, something that can be read in a week or two.

Check this blog each week or email info@turnaroundcharity.org.uk or join us on Twitter & Facebook starting on 04.03.2021 #WorldBookDay #WorldBookDay2021 to join in.

First up Charles Dickens with 'Hunted Down'

https://dickens-online.info/hunted-down-page2.html

Has a hairstyle ever unsettled you? Are the most revealing observations about a person made before you hear them speak? This short story looks behind the façade of an “exceedingly well dressed” gentleman. #WorldBookDay

Need help with basic maths?

 Do you want to improve your basic maths? 

Or make sure there are no gaps in your knowledge?

Turn Around have developed a basic maths workbook for all students who want to progress in basic maths. The workbook is designed to help you progress at your own pace, has straightforward explanations of math methods, with examples and practice questions. Further support from tutors is available via online conferencing, email and phone, until we can meet again in person. You can download or print a copy here

If you prefer a printed copy of the workbook email Lynn at info@turnaroundcharity.org.uk and a workbook will be posted to you. 

Early Half-term Break

 Turn Around is closed for an early half-term break from Monday 19th October

We will hopefully be back open at normal times from Monday 2nd November, if the London wide region is back to Tier 1/medium alert risk for Covid 19

Turn Around St Mary Cray Reopening

Turn Around St Mary Cray is reopening for socially distanced, in-person learning sessions. You will need to book in advance and follow our Covid Secure safety protocols whilst you are in the shop. Please call 01689835079 or 07794385553 or email turnaroundinfo@gmail.com to book an appointment. 

Student Josephine and volunteer tutor Joan, doing socially distanced guided reading.

Volunteer tutors are also available to support students by phone, email or online conferencing.

Turn Around's Covid Secure protocols can be viewed here

Easy Fundraising UK Refer to Win Competition

We can help Turn Around WIN a £500 donation in the #easyfundraising Refer to Win competition! 

They’ll get a FREE entry each time a new supporter signs up before the 14th July! It only takes a moment and it's completely free, so please get involved if you haven't already!

Easy Fundraising UK Refer to Win!

Turn Around Founder Michelle Paul nominated as Local Hero in Orpington Life

Michelle Paul MBE, founder of Turn Around is nominated for a 'Local Heroes' Orpington Life featured interview.

Advice and Resources for Wellbeing and Home Learning

Stuck at Home?

Here are some wonderful resources for home learning and advice for supporting wellbeing during this challenging time. Please share widely.

Updated 04.11.20 

Turn Around Tips for Guided Reading

Turn Around Basic Maths Workbook for all ages

Oxford Owls - free online books for children

Turn Around Student & Volunteers World Book Day Recommendations

Anna Freud Centre - well being advice for parents, carers and young people

National Numeracy - free family maths activities

Chatter Pack - an extensive list of resources for home learning

Chatter Pack - a list of resources to keep busy during self-isolation

Neil Gaiman - books and activities for children

Neil Gaiman - books and activities for adults

British Nature Guide - wildlife quizzes

Mimi Thebo - Creative writing exercise "Your favourite walk"

BFI - British film archive by area

Alex Calder's - miniature circus

Learning Curve - fully funded level 2 online courses

The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition for Young People

Love Reading 4 Kids - home schooling tips

Love Reading 4 Kids - ways to cope with anxiety

World of David Walliams - fun activities for kids

World of David Walliams 'Elevenses' - free 20 minute daily audio story at 11 am

Konnie Huq - STEM resources and experiments

Konnie Huq reading from 'Cookie' and creative writing tips.

Draw with Rob Biddulph - Tuesday and Thursday at 10 am

Forestry England - learn explore and play

Macmillan Dictionary - fun learning activities

Macmillan Dictionary - word searches and quizzes

Center for Puppetry Arts - live-streaming shows and workshops on Facebook

Woodland Trust - common bird songs and calls

Woodland Trust - woodland walks podcast

Ben Rothery Illustrator - beautiful wildlife colouring pages

The Resident - local mutual aid and volunteer groups by London borough

Life at No.27 - resources about the natural world

64 Million Artists - Do Think Share - daily creative challenges

BBC Bitesize – curriculum based learning for all ages and all subjects

Andy Seed - Anti-boredom activities

The Sacred Isle - Storytelling - The Girl, the House & the Gumblebump

Gutenberg Library – 60,000 free e-books

Internet Archive National Emergency Library free archived books that were not previously in digital form

Anne Frank Poetry Award 2020 - call for entries

Kids! Can you invent a Superhero?

TES - Free home learning and teaching resources

Words for Life - keeping kids fit and improving literacy

Ancient Tree Inventory – Maps and records of ancient trees

COVIBOOK - a free book by Manuela Molina to help children under 7 cope with stress & anxiety

Staying Mentally Healthy by Julie Barry Wellbeing Practitioner, Bromley Y

WHO Advice for helping children cope with stress during Covid 19 pandemic

The Washington Post - The Little School Mistress by Jean-Siméon Chardin – a painting about the connection between student & teacher

Guardian Technology - 20 fun learning apps for stir crazy kids of all ages.

Goodnight With Dolly – Bedtime stories from the Imagination Library, read by Dolly Parton

Smithsonian Museum Open Access Lab - free to share digital resources

Woodland Trust - fun indoor and outdoor activities for kids

NASA at Home - virtual tours of the ISS and exo-planet excursions

British Museum Online - travel back through 3000 years of Egyptian history

Wildlife Trust - looking after yourself and nature

Ability Net - training and advice for disabled people, carers and employers

TES news - campaigns by students and colleges to support COVID 19 response

Librivox - free public domain audio books

Yorkshire Museum - online galleries and learning resources

Groundwork UK - supporting families and young people to stay active

Teach Primary - download free home learning resources

Guided Reading Tips for Parents/Carers of KS1 Children

  

a is for  ant

1. Learn your phonic alphabet and don’t refer to letter names when guiding reading. Letter names will not help your child to sound out a word whereas phonics will. Also explain that most words will have at least one vowel. Vowels are in red below. Sounds are in bold.

a – at             g – get          m – met            s – sun

b – bat           h – hot         n – net               t – tan 

c – cat            i –  in           o – on                u - up

d – dot           j –  jet           p – pen              v - vet

e – end           k – kin         qu – queen        w - wet

f –  fit              l – let            r – run               x – tax

                        

                        y – silly         z – zebra

2. Use phonic reading books or write words that can be sounded out easily (see example below). Encourage your child to sound out each letter and do not rush them. A child starts to read as they grow more confident in putting these sounds together. Always add one sound at a time.

Example:            cat – c, c a, c a t  dog – d, d o, d o g                                 

   

                            mum – m, m u, m u m  dad – d, d a,  d a d

3. Do not rush to introduce words that cannot readily be sounded out. Allow your child to be fully confident reading words that can readily be sounded out first. As your child progresses from reading 1 word to 3 words on a page, they will also understand the context of what they are reading. Then they are ready to read simple words that bend the phonic rules ( see examples below).

Example:   the –  thur -explain the th sound and the sound

the whole word makes.     

                    a and I – explain that these letters say their name

                   when they are on their own                                

                    what – explain that the w makes the h silent

4. You can call these words naughty words or awkward words. When your child says one of these words with the correct phonics, but not the correct pronunciation, tell them they are right but explain that this naughty word does something different.

Example:    what and bath – your child may pronounce the a in

these words phonically correctly like the a in cat.

                                Explain that these words are naughty (unless

                                you have a northern English accent).

5. It is important to practise guided reading and to keep up with your child’s progress by making sure their school reading book is changed at least every week. Children will get demoralised with reading if they are given the same book for weeks on end.

      6.   Your child will probably know their phonic alphabet sounds before

            they know all the names of the letters.  This is fine, but be sure to explain

that when letters stand on their own they “say their name”. Some of them also 
“say their name” when followed by an “e” (even with a letter in between).

Example:            a – rat, rate

                                             c – lac, lace

                             e – pet, Pete

                             g – rag, rage

                             i – bit, bite

                             o – cod, code

                             u – tub, tube

                             y – dairy, rye

            Sometimes letters “say their name” for no apparent reason – e.g.“bacon”.

6. Most important of all, get in the habit of reading for pleasure with your   

child. Visit the library regularly and borrow picture story books that you can read to your child. Try to read to them every night. Reading to your children from any age will help them associate positive feelings with books. Phonics books, although essential in teaching children to read, can also be dull. Bedtime story reading should be fun and your child benefits from hearing you read.

If you would like more information about guided reading please contact Lynn on 01689 835079 or email turnaroundinfo@gmail.com to book a free

one-to-one session with your child.

Turn Around St Mary Cray and Outreach Sessions Temporary Closure

Turn Around, St Mary Cray and outreach sessions are closed until further notice, due to Covid-19 government guidelines

Turn Around outreach sessions in Downham, Bromley, Anerley and Mottingham, are also closed until further notice.

Updates will be posted here as soon as we know when we are able to open again. 

Links to home learning resources will be posted on Twitter and Facebook 

If you need help with anything please call Lynn on 07794385553 or email turnaroundinfo@gmail.com 

Take care everyone!

World Book Day 2020 Student and Volunteer Book Recommendations

World Book Day 5th March

PRESS RELEASE

Remember illiteracy issues on World Book Day, appeals local MBE charity head

Struggling with reading? You are not alone

28 February 2020: As the UK celebrates World Book Day on 5 March, literacy charity Turn Around is asking communities to think about those who struggle to read at all.

A 2019 study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that 25% of 15-year-olds had problems with basic aspects of reading, while the 2016 OECD Skills Study suggests that more than a quarter of working-age adults in England are illiterate, innumerate or both.

Based in St Mary Cray, Orpington, the Turn Around charity provides free one-to-one tuition in reading, writing and basic maths. Founder and trustee Michelle Paul MBE commented: “Literacy and numeracy – that many of us take for granted – are crucial to a happier, more inclusive society and an enriched workforce, helping to create a healthy economy. The consequences of not having these skills include being unable to get a job, tell the time, travel or engage socially. These in turn often cause low self-esteem, ill health and depression.”

Michelle added: “On World Book Day, we want to let those that struggle with reading know that they are not alone. We are here to help so they can build key skills – and also enjoy the wealth of stories being celebrated today.”

Turn Around plays a pivotal role by providing one-to-one tuition to help obtain essential life skills - from telling the time to completing a job application.

To enable more adults and children to benefit, Turn Around is calling for the government to:

1.       Return primary school maths teaching to the early introduction of methods tried and tested over the centuries including repetition. Bringing back the teaching of phonics in literacy since 2009 has already improved outcomes for many primary school children. This will ensure children receive a thorough grounding in reading, writing and maths, making it easier to teach them other subjects.

2.       Launch a nationwide programme to reach and teach illiterate and innumerate adults, enabling them to play a rewarding role in society and contribute to the economy.

Michelle started to teach children and adults in the 1980s and has since helped more than 1500 children and adults. In 2006 she set up the Turn Around charity to further this work – leading to an MBE in the 2020 New Year Honours list.

The charity is looking for volunteers to Turn someone’s life Around at The Exchange in St Mary Cray or at one of our outreach centres in Anerley, Bromley, Downham and Mottingham. Please email turnaroundinfo@gmail.com or call Lynn Bird on 07794 385 553 if you’d be interested in finding out how you might be able to make a difference in someone’s life.

ENDS

About Turn Around: We help people to improve their literacy and numeracy through free one-to-one tuition, enabling both children and adults to Turn their lives Around by building essential life skills and seizing social and economic opportunities.

Discover more at http://turnaroundcharity.org.uk/

For more information, please contact Michelle Paul on 07932 034 479 or Lynn Bird on 07794 385 553

Turn Around is closed for half-term from Thursday 13^th February. We are back open at normal times from Monday 24^th February.

Greater Londoner - BBC London Interview with Michelle Paul MBE

Turn Around founder, Michelle Paul, was interviewed by BBC London People, for their Great Londoner series. 

Read and share here

Michelle Paul MBE

Happy New Year everyone!

Some amazing news to start 2020, Turn Around's founder, trustee, tutor and tutor trainer, Michelle Paul, has been awarded an MBE in the New Years Honour List. This is well deserved recognition of Michelle's years of dedication to the Turn Around project that she founded in 2005 and the hundreds of people she has helped. Michelle would like to extend her thanks and appreciation to all those who have been involved with Turn Around over the years. Read all about it and share our good news here in the latest edition of the Bromley Times.