Go Stop Go

Half-way point of my trip already. And it's got me thinking. If you could sum up your trip in 1 experience, what would it be? For me, it's an easy choice.

Go Stop Go.  It's the game I created (hahah, well, like to think I created...) most often played with nursery kids. It's very simple. And it's not like I set out to create it. It just happened, like so many things do in Ghana.

Intruiged yet? I've aleady made it sound far more impressive than it is. Really, the name pretty much sums it up. So, here's how to play:

1. Go to the courtyard of the school. Or a classroom. Or a hallway. Anywhere will do.

2. Find 1 kid. Most likely they'll find you. Most likely it's never one, but more. Many more.

3. Dance. Jump around. Be a kid. Remember when you were 5 and did whatever you wanted.

4. Say "Stop!". Really, you're a teacher after all. And you're tired. It's hot out. And you just don't have the same inexaustable energy source that kids have.

5. Yell "Go!" Dance again. Enjoy it. Feel the hot African sun, and see the kids smiles.

6. Yell Stop. Yell Go. Yell Stop. And yell Go. By now you'll be surrounded by kids, all wanting to play the Go Stop Go game.

So, that's my game. Simple in concept. Summarizes my experiences to date. Go Stop Go. Go- do as much as possible. Be a teacher, see Ghana, and share laughter. Stop- take a moment to reflect, relax, and look around you. Maybe you're stopping because you got sick, you're worn out, or life just got hard. But then you Go again. You always do. You see the smiles on the kids faces, and you want to yell Go. Again, and again. You had your rest, and you're back at it.

Wednesday was the last day of Term 2 for Montessori and so I got to hang out with my students; playing with the younger ones, and talking with the older ones. I came to Timoskay later that day to spend the next 10 days here with Marisa and Mason. My fist class was the Nursery Class and I ended up playing Go Stop Go with them. I didn't plan it, it just happened. But what a wonderful introduction to their school.

The rest of the week has been making posters with the students for their classrooms. Once a Creative Arts teacher always a Creative Arts teacher! Pictures to come, I promise :)

Starting tomorrow, it's 2 weeks of vacation. Maybe it's the Stop in the Go Stop Go of teaching in Ghana. The midway point. The small break before things get going again. And the second Go is always just a bit better than the first. So, with travel plans for next week set (bring on the elephants), ideas brainstormed with Mason and Marisa  for Timoskay looking like real possibilities, and fresh ideas for my classes next term, it's looking like the next few months will be eventful. And I'm looking forward to it :)

I'll keep you posted!
Love,
Sarah