M. Dev Rao, of Palaguda, in Indervelli
Mandal, Adilabad District, AP using a big
book he made.
See appendix 2 for the whole story.
b) Teaching methodology
Since MLE attempts to be creative and responsive, focusing on meaning and comprehension
rather than perpetuating a conformist and submissive ethos and its corresponding tradition of rote
learning, new teaching methods need to be incorporated into the curriculum design.
Language: Skills and accuracy
In Andhra Pradesh, textbooks for language and maths were developed which are used to develop
skills and accuracy. Activities were incorporated to move away from textbook based learning
and the theme based approach develops those skills in meaningful contexts.
For language skills the following materials were developed:
Alphabet chart: letters, words and pictures
Alphabet book: letters, words, sentences and pictures
Activities: extending textbook focus
Language: Meaning and communication
For developing the skills in meaningful and communicative contexts the materials are developed
locally. These include:
Listening stories: for the teacher to read/tell to the students
Children’s reading books: with short sentences & pictures which the children can use by
themselves or in small groups, or when reading with one other person.
Fact sheets: using local knowledge
Big books: stories, facts, experience stories, which are used as classroom reading material,
commonly known as shared reading.