FAQs
Heartlines has created a large catalogue of paid-for content that can be used in a school context to run What’s Your Story? Feel free to browse through the different courses and available resources to see more about what we have available. To view and download any of the content, you will need to purchase one of our bundles.
We have four different bundles available:
- The Full School Bundle gives you access to all of the WYS School content. This includes lesson plans for running WYS ‘In class’, assembly and festival guides if you would like to use WYS in a broader ‘In school’ context, and a guide and materials for ‘After school’ story clubs.
- The Class Bundle includes just the subject-based lesson plans and associated videos, handouts and presentations.
- The In School Bundle includes just the assembly and festival guides (and associated resources) to use WYS in a broader school context.
- The After School bundle only includes the story clubs guide and resources to use WYS in an extra mural environment.
There are two ways to purchase the WYS schools bundles.
First, you can buy them directly on our site using the ‘Add to cart’ function. You will need a credit card to be able to buy directly from our platform. If you have purchased a bundle this way and you would like to receive a coupon code for other staff members to access the content you have purchased, you will need to contact our team at wys@heartlines.org.za.
If you don’t have access to a credit card for school purchases, you can contact our team on wys@heartlines.org.za and we will send you an invoice. Once payment has been received, our team will send you the coupon code which you and any staff members using a school email address will be able to use to access the content. To find out more about how to use coupons on our site, see below.
If your school has contacted us or purchased a bundle directly through our site, the rest of your school staff can use the content too.
If you have already received your coupon, please follow the steps below.
If you have made an online purchase and need a coupon code for your colleagues, please contact us at wys@heartlines.org.za. Once you have received your coupon code from our team, you can follow the steps below.
- Anyone who doesn't already have a profile on the Heartlines site needs to sign up here first before they will be able to use a coupon. The coupon is linked to email addresses, so they will need to log in with their school email address in order to use the coupon code.
- On the site, go to the Resources tab. Click on any resource that has a purple 'Buy now' button beneath it. You can use this one.
- On that resource's page, click the purple 'Add to cart' button below the image (please make sure to select the correct bundle name for your coupon). If you don’t see your bundle, please choose a different resource.
- A pop up will appear at the top right of your screen (or you can click on the shopping trolley icon). Click 'Checkout'.
- Click 'Coupon Code' and a box will appear to enter your code. Add your coupon code and then 'Next'.
- Then you click through all the purple payment buttons e.g. Pay R0.00 (but you won't ever need to put in credit card details) and once you get to the end of the process, you will have access to all the courses and resources.
To find them easily, you can click on the 'Dashboard' button in the orange navigation bar (top right) and it will show you everything you have access to.
NB: The coupon is linked to email addresses, (i.e., @schoolname.org.za) so you'll need to log in with a school email address in order to be able to use the coupon code.
If you don’t have access to a credit card for school purchases, you can contact our team on wys@heartlines.org.za and we will send you an invoice. Once payment has been received, our team will send you the coupon code which you and any staff members using a school email address will be able to access the content. To find out more about how to use coupons on our site, see above.
Once you have purchased one of our bundles, we provide you with:
- Videos
- Transcripts
- Worksheets
- Handouts
- Background reading
- Explanations of keywords and concepts
These will all be available if you click on the Resources tab, or you access the resources, downloads and presentations for each lesson directly from the relevant section in each course.
What you'll need to source:
If you wish to use the audiovisual material, you will need:
- A screen (Don’t worry if you don’t have this. There are transcripts provided for all audiovisual materials.)
- A chalkboard or a flip chart.
- Prestik or tape.
- Old magazines or newspapers.
- Colourful crayons, pens or pencils.
- A journal or notebook for each learner.
Sharing our stories is a deeply personal process. Ideally, we should be left feeling empowered, connected and affirmed after sharing our stories, not misunderstood or hurt.
In order for that to happen, teachers need to create a safe space for learners. A safe space is characterised by three values:
- Trust
- Understanding
- Respect
Sometimes learners share stories that leave you feeling uncomfortable. They share stories that are painful, and you are unsure of how to respond.
When a story leaves you feeling uncomfortable
If aspects of someone’s story make you feel angry or uncomfortable, try to:
- Ask yourself how their story touched on (or differs from) your own experiences, beliefs or assumptions?
- Think about how the learner’s background and life might have shaped the way they see things?
- It is very important not to judge or correct the storyteller. Don’t interrogate them about their choices or actions.
- Ask a social worker or another teacher for advice if you feel the learner needs assistance or counselling.