Sharing What Works: Classroom Resources Developed by Luminos
Starting with The Gambia, we are pleased to share our comprehensive set of teaching and learning materials, designed to support teachers and learners alike in delivering and experiencing joyful, foundational learning.
Across Luminos programs, children who once struggled to read are mastering foundational skills and closing years of learning gaps in just months.
The science of reading is clear: with the right instruction, every child can learn. At the Luminos Fund, we have spent years turning that evidence into practical, classroom-ready tools—developed in close partnership with communities and adapted to local languages and cultures—that help teachers teach effectively and children learn with confidence and joy.
In just 10 months, hundreds of thousands of vulnerable and out-of-school children across sub-Saharan Africa have caught up on the equivalent of the first three years of primary school through the Luminos Method.
Now we are sharing these tools with the world. Starting with our complete set of teaching and learning materials from The Gambia, we are making our resources public so educators everywhere can adapt, use, and scale what works—helping more children catch up and thrive.
Inside the Luminos Teaching and Learning Materials
The Luminos accelerated learning program helps children catch up to grade level, transition into government schools, and build strong foundations for lifelong learning.
The program is organized into three phases, with materials designed to support both teachers and students. Through daily instruction, continuous assessment, and targeted support, learners can progress through the equivalent of three years of primary school in just ten months. Each phase builds on the last—from early phonics and basic numeracy to independent reading, writing, and problem-solving—preparing students to transition into Grade 3 or higher. Materials for each phase include a Teacher’s Guide, Student Book, Decodable Readers, and Read-Aloud stories.
- Literacy: Phase 1 begins with letter-sound identification, decoding, blending, segmenting, oral language development, and writing practice. These foundational literacy skills are gradually built in Phases 2 and 3, increasing in complexity so children learn to read with meaning. Instruction is grounded in explicit, systematic phonics, teaching the relationship between letters and sounds and enabling children to decode new words rather than rely on memorization.
- Numeracy: Students start with number identification and naming, then move to number comparison and basic operations such as addition and subtraction. Over time, children master complex, application-based skills, including solving word problems. Concepts are first taught using physical objects, then visual representations, before introducing numbers and symbols. This concrete–pictorial–abstract approach ensures children build real understanding before working at an abstract level.
The materials also include strategies to support diverse learning needs, ensuring all students can make progress.
How Learning Comes Alive in Luminos Classrooms
Lessons in Luminos classrooms are structured, interactive, and joyful. Local stories, songs, games, movement, and hands-on activities are woven into every lesson. Students work collaboratively in pairs and groups, practice new skills in supportive settings, and often take on leadership roles in the classroom.
These approaches are especially important for children who are new to school, learning in a language they do not speak at home, or are the first in their families to learn to read.
Teachers are supported through a structured pedagogy model that combines high-quality materials with training and ongoing coaching, helping them bring learning to life every day.
At his desk, student Boido completes an assignment in his Student Book. (Photo by Lena Nian for the Luminos Fund)
Teacher Ousman checks the work of students in their Student Books during a literacy lesson on letter-sound relationships in The Gambia. (Photo by Lena Nian for the Luminos Fund)
Teacher Fukisu inside his classroom in Sidama, Ethiopia. “The Playbook [Teacher’s Guide] has been instrumental in daily teaching by providing clear and detailed lesson plans that are easy to follow.” (Photo by Mekbib Tadesse for the Luminos Fund)
Student Alemu finds time to do some reading as he keeps an eye on the cattle he herds for his family. “I like to read my books while looking after cows.” says Alemu. (Photo by Mekbib Tadesse for the Luminos Fund)
Teacher Gifty leads students through a numeracy lesson using the Teacher’s Guide in Ghana. (Photo by Obeng Baah for the Luminos Fund)
How Do We Know This Works?
More than 30 independent, external evaluations show that Luminos students make extraordinary learning gains. In just 10 months, Luminos students progress from not recognizing letters of the alphabet to reading short stories. On average, 90 percent of Luminos students advance to mainstream schools, and 75 percent of students remain in schools after 12 months. Luminos students are also twice as likely to complete primary school than their peers.
Luminos Classroom Resources in The Gambia
Explore Luminos classroom resources from The Gambia, and stay informed about new materials from our other programs by subscribing to our Spotlight newsletter.
Phase 1
Builds early foundational literacy and numeracy skills, including basic phonics, simple word blending, early writing, counting to 100, and basic addition and subtraction.
Phase 2
Deepens core reading, writing, and math understanding as learners master letter sounds, read and write simple sentences, work with numbers up to 1,000, and begin multiplication and shape recognition.
Phase 3
Prepares learners for independent reading, writing, and confident mathematical problem-solving with more complex texts, regrouping in addition and subtraction, word problems, and application of multiplication facts.
