Wednesday Morning....All is Good

Hopefully I'll get this posted before the electricity goes out. We've been getting power each night (good for charging phones) but not great for hearing testing that requires power for the audioscope.

I'm typing via netbook as the rest of the gang organizes dresses made by Amy's grandmother and friends...so cute!

Yesterday the medical team finished up physicals and organized the clinic while I worked in a fun, but chaotic first grade classroom. There are over 30 kids in the small classroom and they are very energetic. Each student came to me to trace their hand, color it and write their name on poster paper to serve as artwork for the walls as well as an attendance chart. It started as one-at-a-time, but soon many kids wanted to be part of the action. Herding cats is an understatement!!! ;-). I tapped one eager helper as a leader and she rose to the occasion - she ran to the teacher and had her write the names of the students who couldn't write themselves. It was the stereotypcial example of a challenging student who has leadership potential.

I also spoke with Jordan and Evenson (vice principal) about how to handle the challenges of small group work in a first grade classroom when those not with the teacher are off-task. In the US, we have stations to keep students busy, but here they just wait their turn (not quietly ;-).

The white boards have been put to use immediately - lots of practice writing yesterday. Today I think I'll work with those students who are just learning their letters. Just like in the US, there is a wide range of skills in one class - from those who don't know letters (which makes reading eye charts a challenge!!) to those who can write their first and last names.

I'll have many more pictures, videos & stories when I post on Fri. I didn't want to try to post those with such a slow connection. Thankfully Jess has an SD card in her camera, so I'm using her images for these posts.

A bientot...(I'm publishing quickly in case power goes, then I'll proof read!!) Kids are here - the sounds of of play & laughter are filling the building.