Aaaaaannnnnd Kindergarten!

About a month ago I read Robert Munch's "Moira's Birthday" to Class 2. When I read it, the class listened. I didn't have to deal with the normal Montessori chaos that I love and I'm used to. They all sat there quietly listening to the story. Except for the part that goes "I'm going to invite Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, aaaaannnnnnd Kindergarten!" They all joined me in reading that part.

Little did I know that that line would forshadow my life. Because now I'm teaching Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, aaaaaannnnnd Kindergarten. I'll explain.

A few weeks ago my roomate decided to go back to Canada, and she left last Thursday. So Term 3 has been even more of a new beginning than I would have thought. I arrived home Monday evening, and upon opening the gate to the school everything was different. In fact, I could barely open the gate due to the fact that the entire playground area was covered in cardboard boxes, and brand new tables and chairs.

The first full day of school was also full of surprises. One of the new classrooms is completed and in use, there are some new teachers, and a new headmistress. All changes for the better for the school, except the only thing that sucks is that there's a new math teacher, so I'm back to doing just Creative Arts and Library. But, I no longer only have my 3 classes. Because Maddi has left all of her students want me to be their new teacher, especially for Creative Arts.

And then came my conversation with the new headmistress. She wants me to focus on the 3 classes that are graduating in July- JHS 3, Class 6, And Kindergarten 2. To make some sort of art project that they can put on display for their graduation ceremony. So. I'm now teaching Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, aannnnnnd Kindergarten! (And may as well throw the JHS classes in there as well.)

Upon hearing that Maddi was leaving my first worry was that I would be lonely. I definitely do not need to worry about that. 2 steps out of my room and I have students who look up to me, want me to teach them, and want me to be their friend. And, typical Montessori, I always need to be in 2 places at once. Actually, now that I think about it, maybe even 3. But it's also less pressure. It's Creative Arts. It's fun projects for the kids. It's not about the marks, the tests, the stress. It's about art. And with any age group, it's a blast. A crazy, chaotic blast. :)

On Monday I'll go to Kindergarten. I'll be their teacher for the morning. I'll bring paper, crayons, and let them draw. I'll be the teacher. But also, I'm sure I'll be five years old again. I'll sit down with a group of students and draw a picture myself. Because it's about connecting. And really, who doesn't want to be in Kindergarten again??

I've also realized that I have amazing support from my friends and family. I probably don't thank you guys enough. I've been so pleasantly surprised with so many things in the past few weeks. Calls and text messages back home to Vic. Marisa, Mason, Mr. Kainyiah and the whole Kainyiah family at Timoskay. My students and fellow teachers. My host family. The first thing my host brother Prince asked me when Maddi left if I was alone. I said yes. He said no. He's right. I really do have a family here. And there's some additions to my little pink house. The JHS 3 students move into the school for their last term to prepare for their exams. The 4 girls are in the actual school, and the 2 boys in one of the rooms in our little pink house. The boys spent like 4 hours yesterday helping me clean and re-arrange my room. So basically, they're my new best friends already!

I'm at Timoskay for the weekend where Marisa, Mason and I have just kicked off a major project for Timoskay School. So stay tuned for my next blog post- I promise it will be a good one!

Thanks for reading :)

And wish me luck with Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, aaaaaannnnnd Kindergarten!

Love, Sarah
xoxoxox