UGANDA INTERNS Post #2

6/20/14 - School is in session!

OUR BUS RIDE TO SCHOOL EACH MORNING

GENESIS PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND STAFF

SCHOOL STAFF WITH INTERNS

EAGER FACES

This was our first full week in the Genesis Nursery and Primary School. We were welcomed with open arms by all of the students and staff. 

This week we split up between all of the classrooms teaching classes, working with small groups and struggling students, and assessing the needs of the school as a whole. It is so encouraging to listen to the children sing songs of worship and praise each morning before school starts--it always helps us to put our day in perspective and remind ourselves of our purpose here. 

TEMPORARY PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM

CLASSROOM IN NEW BUILDING

In working with the different classes, we have focused on English and reading classes. From what we have seen in just our first week here is that the teachers are doing an incredible job. They each have such a true passion for teaching, and their excitement in the classroom helps the students stay engaged throughout every class. Most of the teaching they do in the classes is whole group instruction, because there are so many students to so few teachers. We have been able to pull small groups out of the different grades and focus on strengthening the students' basic skills in reading and English.

All of the desks and chairs have officially been sanded, stained, and sealed and look great in the classrooms!  They also just started putting tile in the classrooms to cover the cement floor, and the room they've finished (the first grade class) looks great! We are excited to see all of the classrooms with tiles within the next few weeks. (Pictures to follow.)

BEFORE

AFTER

Recess is still our favorite part of the day when we get to see the children truly act like children. We have played tag with the entire school, done "climbing" activities, participated in a very odd game of kickball, and sung many many songs. 

Some of our funnier moments this week have been getting used to using the toilets at the school (which we call "squatty potties"; they are holes in the ground with places to put your feet!). We somehow always manage to leave the bathrooms laughing, whether it is because of the many mosquitoes we fought off with our shoes or because of the children we hear singing and telling stories while using the restroom. (No pictures to follow!!)

We are loving being "Teacher Rachel" and "Teacher Aarika" and look forward to the weeks to come!