Another day at school, and the first day of teaching for Abigail and Kathy at the Upper Mdumbi School. We have been assigned to teach the older students (grade 8 and 9) and while they may not understand our speech, they are very respectful and attentive. It is a different story at the Langalakhe School, where volunteers often rely on the teachers to maintain discipline and order through their time-tested methods (i.e., Beauty and the Stick). Even at the preschool, the teachers have a creative way of keeping the children in line (“call the police!”). The school calendar continues to be a very fluid concept – while having lunch at the Upper Mdumbi school and discussing with the teachers the lesson plans for the next sessions and the following day, the plan changes mid-sentence when we learn that the learners will have prayer for the rest of the day, and school will be closed tomorrow (the Langalakhe School will be open briefly). A break from preparing lesson plans – ahhhhh. We continue to plan our weekend at Coffee Bay – with ocean view accommodations and a pool!
A lively discussion at our dinner meeting about the focus on rote learning (“its’ all about the checks and the red pens”) versus creativity and independent thinking. After school, the kids seemed to enjoy some quieter activities with coloring, collages, and activity books. We continue to enjoy our daily experiences with the animals that roam freely and peacefully all around us – including today a line of geese traveling down the road behind the three steer (they stayed on their side of the gate today). Looking forward to our flexible day tomorrow.
Message of the day: We can do no great things, only small things with great love. Mother Theresa.
By Kathy
No comments:
Post a Comment