Wasinja

Elton thought it would be funny to mimic me with a mud camera. It was.

Hello again friends. Today was just one of those feel good days in the classroom so I thought I would blog about it. Everything went smooth, we had a lot of fun. The day started off good with a hearty breakfast consisting of noodles, cabbage, potatoes, and onions. After arriving to school, my first lesson was math. I was to teach about word problems. I was a little worried about how the lesson would go because it was jam packed with activities for the hour, and it involved a lot of group work and moving around the class. I am excited to report that it went awesome!

We started the period with a brain teaser having to do with our class walking and getting lost. We were headed north, turned left, turned left, turned in the opposite direction, turned right, etc. The students had to figure out in what direction, as in N S E or W, we ran back to school. I had expected everyone to initially have different answers, which worked out perfectly. Then we broke the problem down a little and I gave them another minute to think about it with their partner. Again, I figured it would be narrowed down to two or three directions. Worked perfectly. Finally we finished breaking the problem down and actually walked in place, turning left, turning left, turning in the opposite direction, turning right, etc. It was an awesome way to lead into word problems.

The introduction took about ten minutes, so we really had to move to get through everything I wanted to. The body of the lesson consisted of explaining some strategies for problem solving, and including the kiddos in a few practice problems. I did not focus very much on the math. My main objective was to get them to begin thinking deeply about the questions, not just the answers. What is it asking? What is the important information? Etc. They can do the math if they are careful. The real problem solving lies with understanding what the problem is really asking. Later, when they are doing problems that require transition between operations, these skills will be critical to their success.

The final activity, which I was a bit nervous about turned out just as I wanted it too. Quickly, I moved the students outside the class, moved the desks into groups, hung my word problems on the wall by each cluster of desks, and invited them back in and sat them down. Instantly, they wanted to begin working without listening to directions. This was not an issue though, because I had come prepared with my secret weapon…the harmonica! As soon as I played a note, their heads flew around and all eyes were stuck on me. I gave them directions, and told them that when they heard the tune I started with, they would drop what they were doing and switch to the next station. At each station there were word problems accompanied by a manipulative or image related to the problem. They could work as a group to solve and document the problem. Though we stayed an extra few minutes into break, the kids loved it and they were completely engaged from the beginning to the end. The most memorable parts for me though were each time I played the tune. The kids literally dropped what they were doing, and were at the next station in a flash. Though it would have been considered chaotic in an American classroom the way they stampeded to each stations, it was so funny and so memorable.

Busy at work. Lovely!

This was a good lesson for me to reflect on the things that made it a positive.

1) I think it was well planned. Starting with a seemingly unrelated “math” activity was a great way to capture the attention of the learners. The body gave them the necessary information and practice to do addition word problems, and the activity allowed them to apply the strategies they learned and do so in a way that was challenging, active, cooperative, and fun. The students wanted to know what was next throughout most the lesson.

Which direction did they run back to school?

2) The visual aids helped bring most of the word problems to life. This was especially helpful for the students who struggled more with reading and problem solving. It simply made the student feel they were involved in something more than just solving boring word problems. To compliment this, each problem was relevant to them, and included references to their class.

Simple visual, but helpful.

3) I was excited for the lesson. Now that I teach regularly, it is not uncommon to notice how when am energized, so are the students. Presentation is important, and kids can sense when you are not into a lesson or concept. Furthermore, the simple addition of the harmonica and the mention of a little competition made it fun for them, but also encouraged them to get down to business when it came to solving the problems and following routine.

The only real criticism I have is I could have done one more example that aimed at tricking the students. Some of the problems were somewhat tricky and some of the students missed the answers because they didn’t pay close enough attention to what the question asked. Although, in my defense, I did warn them that people who write word problems are sometimes evil, and their goal is to trick math students all around the world!

That was math, I won’t go into English. We just had a workday (which was constructive and needed), and tomorrow they will read their letters from my future students in the U.S.A. Most of them are super excited for that, and writing back to them.

Though I didn’t realize it, today was the last day of chapel for us too, because next Thursday we don’t have school, and the following Thursday we are getting ready to board a plane. It was a lot of fun today though. I somehow acquired baby Evan during the song and dance portion of chapel, and hung with him the rest of the time. We danced a little, sat for a bit, and then moved off to the side so he could release some of his excess energy. We have grown to love Evan so much. Him and many other kiddos too. It is hard to believe that there is a likely chance that we will never see a lot of them again after our departure (though I don’t think this is the last time I will ever visit this place). So chapel was memorable and tomorrow will bring the end to another week teaching the children of Rwentutu.  

At least he waited till after chapel and peed on Lauren. Sorry Lauren.

That’s all for now. Oh yeah, check out this Jack fruit that Samson is carrying (that rode with us from school behind the back seat next to a live chicken). Pretty cool. 

Samson carrying the giant Jack fruit.