I haven't done too much today. I've just been relaxing and reading at the Home Base.
Friday I was sent to a different orphanage in Hohoe along with another volunteer, Devon. This orphanage seemed to have much more structure than Christ orphanage, although I kind of miss the chaos at Christ.
When we arrived, Devon and I were welcomed and we were each given two different groups of children to watch over for the day. I was given a long bamboo stick and a piece of chalk and instructed to teach the children the ABC's and mathematics up through 10. It was a lot of fun, and the children were all hungry for knowledge.
It was difficult to give each child individual attention, and some needed more than others. One boy was scared to even touch the crayon to his paper, and when he did, other children would laugh and grab the crayon, showing him how to do it the "right way." Although they were trying to help him, they seemed to be intimidating him more than anything.
I spent a few minutes with him, trying to have him write the number 2. Finally, he was able to trace over one of my "2"s which was quite the accomplishment! His face lit up when he finished, and I was really excited for him.
Tonight I will work to develop more of a lesson plan for tomorrow, maybe make some flashcards or something. I'm not really sure because I can't even remember how I learned the ABC's...
Any ideas?? Please share in your comments!
Yesterday a group of us went to paint the napping room at Christ orphanage. I was sent more to distract the children rather than to paint, but it was a lot of fun :)
A few of us also walked around with trash bags and gloves to clean up broken glass and trash in the play area and the surrounding village. It was a productive, but tiring day.
Anyways, I'm gonna head back to the house now and lay on the hammock for a bit. I love you all and miss you!!!
See some of you in a week!
Oh, and mom, to answer your question... The Likpe caves were pretty neat, although it was honestly the challenge of getting through and around them that was the really fun part. There were bats in them though, which was cool too :)
Friday I was sent to a different orphanage in Hohoe along with another volunteer, Devon. This orphanage seemed to have much more structure than Christ orphanage, although I kind of miss the chaos at Christ.
When we arrived, Devon and I were welcomed and we were each given two different groups of children to watch over for the day. I was given a long bamboo stick and a piece of chalk and instructed to teach the children the ABC's and mathematics up through 10. It was a lot of fun, and the children were all hungry for knowledge.
It was difficult to give each child individual attention, and some needed more than others. One boy was scared to even touch the crayon to his paper, and when he did, other children would laugh and grab the crayon, showing him how to do it the "right way." Although they were trying to help him, they seemed to be intimidating him more than anything.
I spent a few minutes with him, trying to have him write the number 2. Finally, he was able to trace over one of my "2"s which was quite the accomplishment! His face lit up when he finished, and I was really excited for him.
Tonight I will work to develop more of a lesson plan for tomorrow, maybe make some flashcards or something. I'm not really sure because I can't even remember how I learned the ABC's...
Any ideas?? Please share in your comments!
Yesterday a group of us went to paint the napping room at Christ orphanage. I was sent more to distract the children rather than to paint, but it was a lot of fun :)
A few of us also walked around with trash bags and gloves to clean up broken glass and trash in the play area and the surrounding village. It was a productive, but tiring day.
Anyways, I'm gonna head back to the house now and lay on the hammock for a bit. I love you all and miss you!!!
See some of you in a week!
Oh, and mom, to answer your question... The Likpe caves were pretty neat, although it was honestly the challenge of getting through and around them that was the really fun part. There were bats in them though, which was cool too :)
4 comments:
Matt and I love bats! Remember being in the Redwood forest along a river bank at dusk and watching the bats fly around us? It was a long time ago, so don't feel bad if all you remeber is that the bed was lumpy.
ABCs... Litle children have limited motor skills. Your idea of having them trace your number 2 is a good one. Make large A, B, and Cs and have them trace them and give them words that start with those letters in their langauge or English. Making it fun and funny is also great. Your wonderful sense of humor should help you think of words that will make them laugh.
B for bee with a buzzing sound starting with a b (bzzzzzzz).
B - bird, bat, ball, etc.
c - cart, card, carry, careful, caring, carpet, cold, crazy, and so on.
Making the letters and knowing their sound as well will help the lesson stick.
A - arm, ant...
Keep it SIMPLE and be joyful and encouraging for even the tiniest accomplishment. It's important to love learning and feel like thier efforts are wonderful.
Nothing is better than a smile of accomplishment. Baby steps is what we all start with.
Leave them with a smile and a sense that they did well.
Give the extra time and attention to those that need it most.
Have them show you what THEY can do - dance, sing, draw. Leave them with feelings that they are unique and special and have given you something, too, which is so true!
I love you so much!
Meant to say SMALL motor skills. Obviously the big ones are good because they can jump and bounce and run and wear out anyone over eighteen.
Was hoping to see a new posting, but I talked to Lloyd and he said you were going out to the local hang - just because it's New Year's Eve doesn't mean you should go have fun, for crying out loud!
Okay... a little fun. Okay... maybe a lot of fun.
I'll be on the road to LAX in the morning then driving back to SB, but if it's not too late on your side of the world I'll try and call about 2 p.m. (Western hemisphere time)if I'm back.
As usual and forever,
I adore you!
Love,
mom
Where are you? What's the news?
Read your email from mom! And get pictures of the children and withyou and your group. It would be so cool if you could post pictures from there, too.
Check your email, Bear!
This is probably not of any use now. But when you told us how kids would follow you and sing 'Hello, how are you, i'm fine, thank you,' it makes me think that teaching it in a melody would be good. 'Singing the ABC's' as they say. Although you probably thought of that. :)
I love you! I'm sorry I can't see you when you get back.
I'm in India! :)
http://mollyzenobiastemporaryblogurl.com/
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