This the promised longer post! The internet connection has improved enough that I can load pictures at a reasonable rate, and I've been adding pictures with wild abandon.
As you may have guessed from previous comments, I really enjoy working with the first and second graders. They have a zest and zeal for reading and phonics like I've never seen; they're respectful of this 'palogi' teacher; they are awed by anything I show them. I have some pretty stickers that my Mom gave me, and I've been doling them out as prizes for attentive reading. The kids will work hard and shape up like you wouldn't believe in order to get one of these 'treasures'. I wish I had a more valuable prize to give them! School supplies are limited, because everything is donated or nonexistent. Notebooks are passed down sibling to sibling; a single eraser is shared among six children; there are only two hand-held pencil sharpeners to a room. Many of the books are used, so they are in poor shape, to say the least. However, it's better than the public schools here can offer!
I wish you could all come over here and meet these kids in person, but, instead, I'll 'introduce' you to the classes, both in one room but at different tables. Here they are!
As you may have guessed from previous comments, I really enjoy working with the first and second graders. They have a zest and zeal for reading and phonics like I've never seen; they're respectful of this 'palogi' teacher; they are awed by anything I show them. I have some pretty stickers that my Mom gave me, and I've been doling them out as prizes for attentive reading. The kids will work hard and shape up like you wouldn't believe in order to get one of these 'treasures'. I wish I had a more valuable prize to give them! School supplies are limited, because everything is donated or nonexistent. Notebooks are passed down sibling to sibling; a single eraser is shared among six children; there are only two hand-held pencil sharpeners to a room. Many of the books are used, so they are in poor shape, to say the least. However, it's better than the public schools here can offer!
I wish you could all come over here and meet these kids in person, but, instead, I'll 'introduce' you to the classes, both in one room but at different tables. Here they are!
Tasha and Ashneon, both in the first grade. Tasha is older, a former student in the public schools; the education in those institutions is deplorably bad.
Hamish, 1st grade. Isn't he cute?!?
Mika, 1st grade. He has a chronic case of the class 'wiggle worms'! You couldn't keep this kid down with concrete! I bandaged up his toe the other day, as he had a good amount of skin scraped off it.
Salvation, 1st grade. She's a distant cousin of Miss Emi's. Some girls have their hair cut short, to make sure the lice leave them alone.
Malemoli, 1st grade. He's probably the cutest boy in the class! This picture was taken in the Civale's house, because Malemoli's parents forgot him at the school! We fed him supper, during which time he sat between Miss Emi and Joe and watched all that went on with big eyes. It was adorable!
Gaualofa, 1st grade. She's a little nervous; she wasn't sure what this whole 'camera' thing meant! She's the one with a sore on her hand that I'm bandaging every day.
Fetu, 1st grade, with Penina Uati getting in the act! Fetu means 'star' in Samoan. I see Fetu a lot, as she's Lopaki's oldest daughter and lives next door to the Civales.
Mauga (MAUN-ga), 1st grade. She was unsure about what was going on with the whole picture thing! She's one of the best readers in the first grade.
Susanna, 1st grade. "Why are you taking my picture? Did I do something wrong?"
Julia, 1st grade. She's a very good reader, and the one Hannah would vote for for the "Cutest Child in the School" contest.
Solomona and Solamolama, 1st grade. Solomona is always goofing off! Solamolama is quieter.
Penina Sopo, 1st grade. There are two Peninas in the classroom--this Penina is the youngest daughter of Cololla, the lady who made the dresses for Hannah and me. She's a very sweet little girl, hardly any trouble at all.
Utaga, 2nd grade. Her name is pronounced 'oo-TONG-ah'.
Penina Uati, Utaga, Minako, 2nd grade. Three musketeers here!
Aga, 2nd grade. Definitely one of the best students. He also speaks the most English.
Catherine, 2nd grade.
George, 2nd grade. He's usually a slower reader, but he doesn't cause a lot of trouble.
Maina (MY-na), 2nd grade.
Patrick, 2nd grade. I scarcely hear anything, good or bad, about Patrick. Very quiet.
Elijah, 2nd grade. He's outgoing and funny, but he still manages to stay out of trouble, most of the time.
Jay, 2nd grade. A little kid with a big personality.
Miss Gau (NOW), who was our substitute teacher the day I took the pictures. She was teaching the Bible lesson on Ezra.
Miss Gau reading with the 1st graders. As anyone knows who's taught kids, it takes a lot of patience! Miss Gau is Fetu's mother.
Normally they're not in my class, but I couldn't leave out these two adorable K-5-ers, Courtney and Aglisha. Miss Gau teaches K-5, so she brought her class over as well.
For those of you who were wondering, the boys wear shorts, and the girls wear skorts, shorts with a flap down the front and back. This flap is useful for wiping away food, tears, sweat, and much more; fanning themselves; twisting when they don't know what else to do; carrying things; and hitting each other with! A very useful uniform!
All these children are so precious, and I enjoy teaching them and being a part of their lives for the short time that I'm here.
I hope you enjoy it!
For those of you who were wondering, the boys wear shorts, and the girls wear skorts, shorts with a flap down the front and back. This flap is useful for wiping away food, tears, sweat, and much more; fanning themselves; twisting when they don't know what else to do; carrying things; and hitting each other with! A very useful uniform!
All these children are so precious, and I enjoy teaching them and being a part of their lives for the short time that I'm here.
I hope you enjoy it!
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