After a very early start on Monday (we must leave the house at 7am!) we arrived about 745am and were greeted by some very excited kids! We have decided that we would each spend a day helping in each class. So on Monday I will be helped out in Primary 1 and 2. The morning was spent mostly observing the lessons. I also helped with the corrections and helping any child that needed help with explaining their work. The kids were very excited when they got a "V. Good!" written in their books if they had done well. Especially if they had been given a stamp in their book! Showing them off to their friends and teacher.
In the afternoon the teacher asked if I would teach phonetics. I wasn't exactly the best prepared, as we were expecting just to be observing the lessons on the first day. However since I had done quite a few lessons in the village school in this, I improvised a little and did one of the lessons I had taught there. At training we were told to 'expect the unexpected' and I think this was truly one of the first experiences I've had to think on the spot. Not my finest lesson I admit, but I survived. Needless to say, on Tuesday and Wednesday we were much better organised and actually had more of a lesson plan. Very tired from the early rise we went home and rested for the next day.
On Tuesday I was helping in Baby class. This is for very young children, from about 2 to age 4 depending on the ability of the pupil. Most of the work in this class is focused on learning the very basic sounds of the alphabet. I should mention that all classes are taught in English, though obviously somethings are explained in Luganda. I helped as the class went through the alphabet sounding out each letter with it's relevant actions. The pupils then practiced writing the letters in their books. Sitting with pupils individually seeing that they could carry out the work. There was quite a broad range of abilities in the class, the youngest pupils tracing letters in the books, whilst the oldest were matching 3 letter words to the pictures and practicing copying the words. We also spent time counting from 1 to 10.
On the Wednesday I helped in Top and Middle. Pupils in Top will be going in to Primary 1 after the holidays, and middle in to Top etc. Again we focused on the more basic sounds of the alphabet. Obviously the pupils needed a lot less support when writing the words and things. So it was more checking the spelling and things. They copied words of the board and drew pictures next to it.
We also did some 'revision' of addition for the upcoming end of year tests, which will determine whether they get to progress up to the next class. On the Wednesday afternoon I actually taught P1/2 phonetics again. I am starting to wonder if the kids will grow up pronouncing words with a Scottish accent, as they copy the sounds you make exactly how they hear them...
Each day after morning break, the kids were practicing for their end of year school presentation. So each class performs a couple of dances or songs. It was quite entertaining hearing the kids sing enthusiastically and seeing them perform the dances. We particularly enjoyed hearing the school anthem "Ruth Mother Care, the school of wonders!" (Video to come soon!)
I am really looking forward to getting involved with this school and seeing how we can impact the kids and hopefully help them towards a better future. They have certainly been very excited to have us as teachers so far. Hopefully our work can actually help make a difference.
I will update soon with the rest of what we got up to last week and this week.
Hope you're all well
Kenneth
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