Short sentences, drawings, and number relationships helped children connect several developing skills.
This week, learners read two- and three-word phrases and illustrated their meaning. In mathematics, they explored different number pairs that combine to make ten.
“Foundations grow strong through small skills practiced with patience and purpose.”
Children selected short sentences, read them with visual support, and created drawings to show comprehension. The artwork allowed learners to demonstrate meaning even when spoken English remained limited.
For mathematics, we used ten-frames and counters to explore combinations such as 1 and 9, 2 and 8, and 5 and 5. Children physically filled the empty spaces and began recognizing number relationships.
Positive affirmations were incorporated into the routine. Adults used statements such as “You kept trying,” “You asked for help,” and “You solved that step independently.” Children could also choose an affirmation card for themselves.
The session brought literacy, mathematics, creativity, and emotional support into one connected learning experience. for identity and choice.Each successful step helped replace learned helplessness with a growing sense of agency.
- Location: City Hope Community, Clarkston, Georgia
- Learners: Refugee children in Grades 1–5 facing trauma, language barriers, and limited prior literacy or numeracy instruction
- Schedule: Once a week, 2.5–3 hours per session
- Learning framework: Safety and grounding → non-verbal and sensory communication → scaffolded literacy and mathematics