Tusome Pamoja Guidance on the Use of Story Books, Phase 3 Training

The document is titled "Guidance on the Use of Story Books" and is intended to support teachers in implementing the new pre-primary curriculum. Twenty-four story books have been developed in collaboration with the Tanzania Institute of Education, EQUIP-Tanzania, and Tusome Pamoja (USAID). These story books provide an implementation structure for the new pre-primary curriculum, supporting an activity-based approach to learning. Teachers can use each story to plan activities such as role-play, which can help explore socio-emotional dimensions of the story while promoting pre-literacy skills like print and alphabet awareness. The story books cover a variety of themes, including friendship, family life, health protection, environmental awareness, nutrition, and girls' education. These themes are aligned with the six main groups of competences identified in the pre-primary curriculum: Communication, Numeracy, Relationships, Health (and physical development), Environment, and Arts. However, children of pre-primary age and level of development learn in an integrated way, so multiple competences are often developed through a single story. The document includes a story matrix, which outlines the various stories and their corresponding activities. It also provides guidance on daily routines, reading stories, planning activities, and observation and recording. Additionally, the document includes annexes with activity ideas, developmental milestones, and professional diaries. The Tanzania Institute of Education appreciates the contributions of all stakeholders who participated in the development of this document. Special thanks are given to the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, President's Office of Regional Administration and Local Government, Mandaka, Singachini, and Mtwara teacher's colleges, as well as USAID Tusome Pamoja, a Non-Governmental Organization, for their support. The story books are designed to be flexible and adaptable to different teaching contexts. Teachers can use the stories to plan activities that cater to the needs and interests of their students. The document provides a comprehensive framework for implementing the new pre-primary curriculum, ensuring that children develop essential skills and competences in a fun and engaging way. The document emphasizes the importance of using story books as a tool for teaching and learning. By incorporating stories into their teaching practices, teachers can create a engaging and interactive learning environment that promotes children's cognitive, social, and emotional development. The story books are an essential resource for teachers, providing a structured approach to implementing the new pre-primary curriculum. The Tanzania Institute of Education has produced picture books to stimulate children's ideas about the competences identified in the pre-primary curriculum. These picture books are designed to be used in conjunction with the story books, providing a comprehensive and integrated approach to teaching and learning. By using the story books and picture books together, teachers can create a rich and engaging learning environment that supports children's development in all domains.