Program Summary 

Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODBM) desires to use its resources to demonstrate an effective model for increasing literacy and spiritual growth. ODBM has a vast array of materials, developed sensitivity in cultural comprehension due to the cross-cultural context of the work, and field partners providing materials and programs globally.  When these characteristics of ministry are combined, and materials are ordered and coupled with good educational research, implemented by local partners, ODBM believes it can impact the large gap in illiteracy through developing daily habits of reading that is motivated by spiritual growth. 

Our Daily Bread Ministries developed its Year-long ODBM Unique Reading System (YOURS). The program’s design overcomes the challenges related to the lack of materials that are learner appropriate, and then combines those materials into a flexible system for the individual. This creates a path of achievement for the individual that increases literacy and spiritual development. This program was initially tested in an English-speaking context in Nigeria & Tanzania with educational partnerships, teaching a range of learners how to use the program and measure their growth in literacy comprehension. The overall goal of the program is to engage non-literate young adults through seniors and bring them to a level of literacy where they can function in an online academic learning environment (ODB University).    To begin the launch of this program, ODBM would like to engage institutions for a beta test for measurement of the ability to motivate and maintain learner retention, the overall growth of literacy ability in participants and the scalability of the program model to demonstrate the potential to impact large populations.  

The program is designed to train facilitators and readers alike. It begins with the content below. The reading content is staggered from easy to more difficult. By clicking on each yellow tab below, you can see the content for reading.  It begins with vocabulary in a creative way using symbols, then into vocabulary with pictures, then fragments, sentences and full stories.  From there, the reader goes further into content reading with devotionals, scripture and more challenging devotions.  If the reader gets to that point, they will then be encouraged to transition toward Our Daily Bread University for their first course. 

View  the Instructional Videos  section for more information about the YOURS program.

Phase 1: Reading Assessment

The first stage of the program begins with a reading assessment. This is based upon a global standard from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Guidelines (ACTFL). The measurement will assign placement and identify steps for growth and achievement. The reading assessment is a simple, short, live demonstration of skill from facilitator to reader. The demonstration of skill is based upon a rubric of characteristics (Appendix B) and then categorized by the facilitator into the ACTFL levels, categorizing the learner in an initial placement (level) and providing a path for witnessing growth.

Phase 2: Learner Appropriate Materials

As learners are assessed, they will engage with appropriate materials that provide an outlined path of learning that offers variety in materials while advancing literacy. These materials range from simple pictures and vocabulary identification, to fragments, sentences, paragraphs, and a variety of challenging content over the entire year. Within each learning level, there is spiritual content and other variety to provide learner-preference and ownership of choice in motivating individuals to maintain student retention. The medium for delivery depends upon need ranging from print to digital formats. As individuals work through a path of practice and daily reading, this culminates with integration into academic courses on Our Daily Bread University (www.christianuniversity.org).

Theoretical Content Path Outline (Over 1 year)

Skill Building Stages (20 Weeks total—2 weeks each stage)

Stage 1: Picture to word cues or SUN two-tiered literacy facilitation (You can find SUN materials on Bibleineverylanguage.org or a summary in appendix C)

Stage 2: Pictures to Fragments and/or sentences

Stage 3: Picture frames to simple story (fragments or simple sentences over continual frames)

Stage 4: Illustrated stories: More complex sentences/increase in content (these already developed materials can be found on unfoldingword.org for pictures or Bibleineverylanguage.org for simple story content as listed below or a sample can be found in appendix D)

Stage 5: 1/3 page text to picture (simple paragraphs)

Stage 6: 1/2 page text to pictures (medium paragraphs)

Stage 7: 2/3 page text to pictures (flowing content)

Stage 8: Full content (3-5th grade learner)

Stage 9: Challenging content (4-6th grade learner)

Stage 10: Beginner stage of Academic content (5-7th grade learner)

Content Development Stages (12 weeks total)

Stage 1: Modified ODBM Devotionals

Stage 2: Regular ODBM Devotionals

Stage 3: ODBM Devotionals with Higher Level Thinking Reflections

Scripture Engagement Path (14 Weeks total)

Stage 1: Simple Scripture (dynamic easy read, select passages/narratives)

Stage 2: Increased Difficulty Scripture (literal, select passages for content)

Stage 3: Simple scripture with content questions

Stage 4: Challenging scripture with content questions