I'm sure some of you have been wondering where I've been! After all, I haven't posted in about four days. Rest assured, all is well; there just hasn't been anything really 'blog-worthy' since the surprise party the teachers threw me. Life has been meandering along in exactly the same way it has since I've been here--I've kept myself occupied by helping the little ones with their reading, teaching the Health Class to the 3rd-5th grades, and cooking every other day or so. I think I'll have something a little more interesting in the next post--we'll see!
Today was the official last day of my stint as the Health Class teacher. I was excited to wrap up the different subjects and see what the kids had learned, but it did feel a little like the beginning of the end. I've really enjoyed teaching, a rather surprising discovery for me, since I've never pictured myself as someone who had the patience to go over phonics with a limited-English child, or try to impress in the minds of the 3rd graders that the skull and the hip bones are not located in the same place!
Today, as a finisher to the class, I read aloud the last installment of the story I've been narrating in class. Never had the children listened more intently, as this was the part of the story with no health-related section in it--just pure action. Oh well. Then we had the final exam. It was a 25-question test, with five bonus questions. Some of the students did surprisingly well--unfortunately, I caught two of them peeking in their notebooks for answers. The school policy is to give those students a zero. Ouch! But, even though it's not fun to do, I hope they learn not to cheat out of the experience.
Last of all, I gave out the prizes. Each child got a certificate, signed by Miss Emi and myself, stating that they had completed the course. Then I handed out the prizes for the completion of the Clean Teeth Chart, which we've been filling out every week. Of course, I'm not completely certain if they've all been absolutely honest about their oral hygiene habits, but one can always hope... The boys got a really nice pencil sharpener and two bouncy balls apiece. Evidently, they don't have bouncy balls here, so I had to demonstrate to the boys how they work. I only hope I haven't unleashed a monster here! :) The girls got pencil sharpeners as well, but, in place of the balls, they got a small bottle of hand-sanitizer in one of those little sparkly, flexi carriers. I had to explain that part too--I really hope they don't try to drink it!
Then I gave out a prize for the Best Boy Student, the Best Girl Student, and the Most Improved Student; these went to Taua'e (no surprise there), Vanisa, and Ferolini. Taua'e got a little wound-care kit that I put together, and was he ever thrilled about that! I think he'll use it well. Ferolini and Vanisa got pairs of earrings, which made them both beam--they have pierced ears, but I don't think they can afford earrings. I enjoyed seeing the looks on their faces--nothing feels quite as good as giving out prizes to kids who deserve them!
Anyway, sorry this post is a little lackluster. There just hasn't been anything startling going on! Tomorrow, we've planned an expedition into the interior (not really--it just sounds dangerous) that may prove to be my most unique experience yet! So hang in there and keep checking!
Today was the official last day of my stint as the Health Class teacher. I was excited to wrap up the different subjects and see what the kids had learned, but it did feel a little like the beginning of the end. I've really enjoyed teaching, a rather surprising discovery for me, since I've never pictured myself as someone who had the patience to go over phonics with a limited-English child, or try to impress in the minds of the 3rd graders that the skull and the hip bones are not located in the same place!
Today, as a finisher to the class, I read aloud the last installment of the story I've been narrating in class. Never had the children listened more intently, as this was the part of the story with no health-related section in it--just pure action. Oh well. Then we had the final exam. It was a 25-question test, with five bonus questions. Some of the students did surprisingly well--unfortunately, I caught two of them peeking in their notebooks for answers. The school policy is to give those students a zero. Ouch! But, even though it's not fun to do, I hope they learn not to cheat out of the experience.
Last of all, I gave out the prizes. Each child got a certificate, signed by Miss Emi and myself, stating that they had completed the course. Then I handed out the prizes for the completion of the Clean Teeth Chart, which we've been filling out every week. Of course, I'm not completely certain if they've all been absolutely honest about their oral hygiene habits, but one can always hope... The boys got a really nice pencil sharpener and two bouncy balls apiece. Evidently, they don't have bouncy balls here, so I had to demonstrate to the boys how they work. I only hope I haven't unleashed a monster here! :) The girls got pencil sharpeners as well, but, in place of the balls, they got a small bottle of hand-sanitizer in one of those little sparkly, flexi carriers. I had to explain that part too--I really hope they don't try to drink it!
Then I gave out a prize for the Best Boy Student, the Best Girl Student, and the Most Improved Student; these went to Taua'e (no surprise there), Vanisa, and Ferolini. Taua'e got a little wound-care kit that I put together, and was he ever thrilled about that! I think he'll use it well. Ferolini and Vanisa got pairs of earrings, which made them both beam--they have pierced ears, but I don't think they can afford earrings. I enjoyed seeing the looks on their faces--nothing feels quite as good as giving out prizes to kids who deserve them!
Anyway, sorry this post is a little lackluster. There just hasn't been anything startling going on! Tomorrow, we've planned an expedition into the interior (not really--it just sounds dangerous) that may prove to be my most unique experience yet! So hang in there and keep checking!
Showing how to use the hand-sanitizer!
Giving Selesa her certificate.
Look at the king-sized grin on Taua'e's face! He was a very excited kid.
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