First Day (Finally)

Moving from class to class is pretty much what the first day is all about.  Learners are getting to know where their classes are.	After they've found their classes they must perfect walking in straight lines.  This is accomplished through yelling, kicking and scolding.  Cruel but effective.

I was just talking with some volunteers last weekend about how easier this school year is compared to January of last year.  I know what to expect (and what not to expect) and I know what I should be doing.  Most importantly, I know not to stress about minor details like school schedules, lesson plans and class attendance.  It will all happen somehow...

I was excited today to get to work, but somewhat unsurprised on finding that it would not be possible. We got a timetable (yeah!!) but none of my learners brought their receipts for the computer class, so no one could enter the class.  Maybe next week...

This is the science classroom.  You notice the stacks of extra chairs in the back?  You notice the learners sitting two-to a chair also in the back?  Welcome to Namibia.	A teacher (Mr. Jo) trying to get the new eighth graders to listen to his instructions.

Beginning Of School: The Absence of All Things Instructive

Yes, it's come to this.  Since the only thing going on school-wide last week and this week is tryouts for the track and field competition on the 5th, I decided to start showing movies. 

Since there is no schedule, learners have not been assigned subjects nor teachers.  No teaching is possible, even if you wanted to try.  The only thing left is subject-nonspecific activities, also known as playing games and watching movies.

The schedule is a difficult thing to put together since the numbers of classes is not known until a week into school.  Then, learners have to choose what language they want to study, decide between accounting and agriculture and decided on math classes.  After all these decisions are made, subjects can be allocated to teachers and a timetable is created.  Right now we're just finishing up the student's decisions step due to a huge number of late arrivals. 

I can't wait for next week.  Maybe we'll have a schedule then.  Maybe I can start teaching... Maybe.

...And we're back.

It's been a nice long vacation but I'm now very ready to get back to work.  Here's a very brief photo history of what I've been up to:

My sister got married and scheduled the wedding in December so I could be there.  It was a wonderful small ceremony. Our family just keeps growing!	I spent lots of time with my niece while back in the States.  We made snowmen, chased each other around department stores and hung out at Planet Kid.	I was super fortanate to be able to watch the BSU beet Okalahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.  BSU wasn't expected to even be able to keep the score close, but we showed the world!  BSU can play with the best of them!!

I had a 12 hour layover in London on the way back, so I took in the sights.  This is a shot form the top of the London Eye, a huge Farris wheel.	My first day back in Namibia I bought some wood and made this cabinet / table for the kitchen.  It's so nice being able to use my kitchen now!!

Five of us rented a car and hdeaded to Sossusvlie, a very famous spot for climbing huge sand dunes and exploring, for three days "vlys" or dried up salt plains set between dunes.	Here's me walking through a vly.  Some shrubs are growing on the dunes due to the recent rains in the area.

 

Yup, that's it.  More than a month gone and just a quick post.  Once I actually start doing some work, I'll post more.

First Day (Finally)

Moving from class to class is pretty much what the first day is all about.  Learners are getting to know where their classes are.	After they've found their classes they must perfect walking in straight lines.  This is accomplished through yelling, kicking and scolding.  Cruel but effective.

I was just talking with some volunteers last weekend about how easier this school year is compared to January of last year.  I know what to expect (and what not to expect) and I know what I should be doing.  Most importantly, I know not to stress about minor details like school schedules, lesson plans and class attendance.  It will all happen somehow...

I was excited today to get to work, but somewhat unsurprised on finding that it would not be possible. We got a timetable (yeah!!) but none of my learners brought their receipts for the computer class, so no one could enter the class.  Maybe next week...

This is the science classroom.  You notice the stacks of extra chairs in the back?  You notice the learners sitting two-to a chair also in the back?  Welcome to Namibia.	A teacher (Mr. Jo) trying to get the new eighth graders to listen to his instructions.