Today our lesson plan went so smoothly. We taught about the body and had a little cut out of a man and cards with parts of the body that we would have the kids draw lines from the names of body parts to the man and we turned it into a game. We also did Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes with them and then Hokie Pokie- all using body parts. We also played "Sammie Says" or "Teacher Says" and Sam would call out a body part and we had papers on the walls with body parts on it and they would have to understand the word and run and touch the sign with the right body part. They kids had fun and we all had a part and went really smoothly.
During the end of school time our last kids were called out of our breakout group and they were checked by a Dr to see if they needed MMR shot. Their arms were all checked to see if they had the scar on their arm which showed t hey had had the shot. It was good that they were being checked and then the shots would be administered if they hadn't had the shot. Since class ended a bit early, we spent the end of our time at the school teaching the teachers the songs that we had taught the kids. I spent time writing in their volunteer book the lessons we had taught the kids so that they had a record of what we did. The teachers loved what we were teaching. They wanted to practice the songs and a couple of them have a teacher assessment coming up with sounds like the education board next week and wanted to use some of our lessons and teach them to the teacher, namely the body parts game we did with the kids. They didn't seem familiar with the concept that it was good to play games with the kids to make learning fun. They primarily do repetition and tracing letters and numbers as their exercises in school. Today felt like a really rewarding day and we were able to get through all 55 kids since we had out lesson a little shorter and taught each group only about 15 mins. But we felt they had the body parts by the time we finished.
The teachers asked us if we would bring them some colored paper on Monday so they could do some more visual aids. The director also asked if we would join them on a field trip- a 20 min walk to a park next Friday and if we would provide juice boxes for all the kids that day so that they had something to drink when we got there and then we could also lead the kids in some games in the park. We said yes of course and are excited about that, which will also be out last day- big fun finish.
This afternoon I was ready for heading out for the weekend and Yvette, Sam and I signed up for a Safari to the Ngorongoro Crater- one of the natural wonders of the world. We were picked up in a safari Land Cruiser and after 4 hour drive north through Arusha we arrived inside the park tonight. We drove in through Masai land where there were many Masai villages- huts for the man and all his wives and children. We passed one village that was a man and his over 30 wives and nearly 300 children. The man had also built a school for all his children. "He is a very wealthy man" our guide, who also is a Masai, told us as we went by. It was very interesting to ask our guide all our questions about life as a Masai. He was raised in such a village, his father had 6 wives. He said he had about 35 brothers and sisters. At 14 he was selected to go to school with 3 other boys from his area. They were sent to a boarding school and there he had to learn Swahili and then English and how to read, write,... It was such a challenge at his later age. He was able to then go to college and he became a guide. He has been a guide for over 10 years and supports his family back in the village but is preparing to marry a girl that he met in college. She lives currently in Uganda and so it has taken some effort. He said he may carry on the traditions of his father and have more wives, but he will wait and see. He says he misses the traditional way of life and looks forward to a 2 week visit and stay again soon with his family in the hut of his mother. Really fascinating when you have a person that has two different lives with two different cultures and how you cross between them.
The hotel we are at is awesome. Since it was a 4 hour drive we barely made it into the park before the gates close. The Crater Hotel is on the rim of the crater inside the park. Each room is its own bungalow and Yvette is in the one next door. We were welcomed into our rooms with the bath filled with warm soapy water and roses. It was a bit of heaven honestly and I quickly hopped into the tub- it was like I had been transported into another life myself after a week in the bunks and drippy showers. We sped up our luxury bath when I could hear Masai warriors and girls singing. Outside the dining room in the yard area there were maybe 20 Masai all singing and jumping. It was great to see it all at night. I hadn't seen a show like that since when I first went to Kenya and we had gone to Masai village at night 24 years ago. It was exciting and fascinating to watch, especially Yvette sine she hadn't had the experience before. Sam had seen them in Africa 4 years ago. After horsdeurves outside and a little show by the Masai we dined inside. The hotel is like French, African, Rustic. It is really a cool, eclectic African place with some fancy chandeliers and drums, French antiques and African accessories as well. Dinner we were just giddy and couldn't stop laughing. We had a performance in the middle of dinner when a group came and sang and danced in the restaurant. It was just a great night. We were so happy to be here and have such a tasty and cultural dinner.
We came back to the room and both Sam and I fell asleep doing our blogs. I have just woken up to finish mine since I don't want to get behind. Early morning too tomorrow since we want to see all the game in the crater early. 6 a.m. wakeup. Going to head back to bed. xo
During the end of school time our last kids were called out of our breakout group and they were checked by a Dr to see if they needed MMR shot. Their arms were all checked to see if they had the scar on their arm which showed t hey had had the shot. It was good that they were being checked and then the shots would be administered if they hadn't had the shot. Since class ended a bit early, we spent the end of our time at the school teaching the teachers the songs that we had taught the kids. I spent time writing in their volunteer book the lessons we had taught the kids so that they had a record of what we did. The teachers loved what we were teaching. They wanted to practice the songs and a couple of them have a teacher assessment coming up with sounds like the education board next week and wanted to use some of our lessons and teach them to the teacher, namely the body parts game we did with the kids. They didn't seem familiar with the concept that it was good to play games with the kids to make learning fun. They primarily do repetition and tracing letters and numbers as their exercises in school. Today felt like a really rewarding day and we were able to get through all 55 kids since we had out lesson a little shorter and taught each group only about 15 mins. But we felt they had the body parts by the time we finished.
The teachers asked us if we would bring them some colored paper on Monday so they could do some more visual aids. The director also asked if we would join them on a field trip- a 20 min walk to a park next Friday and if we would provide juice boxes for all the kids that day so that they had something to drink when we got there and then we could also lead the kids in some games in the park. We said yes of course and are excited about that, which will also be out last day- big fun finish.
This afternoon I was ready for heading out for the weekend and Yvette, Sam and I signed up for a Safari to the Ngorongoro Crater- one of the natural wonders of the world. We were picked up in a safari Land Cruiser and after 4 hour drive north through Arusha we arrived inside the park tonight. We drove in through Masai land where there were many Masai villages- huts for the man and all his wives and children. We passed one village that was a man and his over 30 wives and nearly 300 children. The man had also built a school for all his children. "He is a very wealthy man" our guide, who also is a Masai, told us as we went by. It was very interesting to ask our guide all our questions about life as a Masai. He was raised in such a village, his father had 6 wives. He said he had about 35 brothers and sisters. At 14 he was selected to go to school with 3 other boys from his area. They were sent to a boarding school and there he had to learn Swahili and then English and how to read, write,... It was such a challenge at his later age. He was able to then go to college and he became a guide. He has been a guide for over 10 years and supports his family back in the village but is preparing to marry a girl that he met in college. She lives currently in Uganda and so it has taken some effort. He said he may carry on the traditions of his father and have more wives, but he will wait and see. He says he misses the traditional way of life and looks forward to a 2 week visit and stay again soon with his family in the hut of his mother. Really fascinating when you have a person that has two different lives with two different cultures and how you cross between them.
The hotel we are at is awesome. Since it was a 4 hour drive we barely made it into the park before the gates close. The Crater Hotel is on the rim of the crater inside the park. Each room is its own bungalow and Yvette is in the one next door. We were welcomed into our rooms with the bath filled with warm soapy water and roses. It was a bit of heaven honestly and I quickly hopped into the tub- it was like I had been transported into another life myself after a week in the bunks and drippy showers. We sped up our luxury bath when I could hear Masai warriors and girls singing. Outside the dining room in the yard area there were maybe 20 Masai all singing and jumping. It was great to see it all at night. I hadn't seen a show like that since when I first went to Kenya and we had gone to Masai village at night 24 years ago. It was exciting and fascinating to watch, especially Yvette sine she hadn't had the experience before. Sam had seen them in Africa 4 years ago. After horsdeurves outside and a little show by the Masai we dined inside. The hotel is like French, African, Rustic. It is really a cool, eclectic African place with some fancy chandeliers and drums, French antiques and African accessories as well. Dinner we were just giddy and couldn't stop laughing. We had a performance in the middle of dinner when a group came and sang and danced in the restaurant. It was just a great night. We were so happy to be here and have such a tasty and cultural dinner.
We came back to the room and both Sam and I fell asleep doing our blogs. I have just woken up to finish mine since I don't want to get behind. Early morning too tomorrow since we want to see all the game in the crater early. 6 a.m. wakeup. Going to head back to bed. xo
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