Draw anything

I really do feel like I’ve taught my students all sorts of useless things. In my very first lesson with Class 4 (which, by the way, feels like a million years ago) I taught them what a narwhal is. You know, those whale-type creatures that have a horn like a unicorn? Everyone needs to know that! And the science behind a sunburn. (“Madam, you are no longer white. You are red! Why?”) And that a cold day in Ghana is like a hot day in Canada…

But the most important thing I’ve taught them is Creative Arts. This week has been midterm exams. Last term I gave them tests on the principles of design, art knowledge, etc. How boring. I clearly hadn’t figured out yet what CA is all about. This time I gave all my classes a blank sheet of paper. And they drew whatever they wanted.

When I first arrived I liked CA, but wished I was doing something more. Which I got to do. I’ve taught a variety of things as well as taking on the younger kids CA and Library classes as well. And yet, somewhere along the line, I’ve fallen in love with teaching Creative Arts. I’ve always said that education is the key to a kids future. I still believe that. But there’s more to it than that. Creative Arts lets kids just be kids. My school is an amazing school and it absolutely prepares them for whats next. Seeing the JHS 3’s studying literally 24/7 has proven that! But school is all about the results, and the memorization, excercises, homework, and project work to obtain the best possible marks. When people ask me how the school system is different from ours back home it’s a simple answer: Canada’s is way more interactive.

So that is why my exams were blank pieces of paper. Ready to be drawn on, coloured, and designed. And I was impressed. Not only did they draw, but a bunch of them decided to use my origami book and fold their papers into all sorts of things, and then colour that instead. Finally, some creativity!! These kids are amazing; their enthusiasm never fades. I have 10 days left. I seriously have no idea how that happened.

But I’m leaving with a sense of accomplishment, a sense of goals met. My time in Ghana has literally been nothing like I would of expected. But I can’t for the life of me remember what I thought it would be like. What I know now: I want to come back one day.

Talk soon,

Sarah xoxox 

Everywhere we go

June 7, 2013.

Montessori Song:

Everywhere we go-oh

People always ask us

Who we are

And where do we come from

So we tell them

We are the Royals

The mighty might Royals

And if they do not hear us

We shout a little louder!

*Up the tempo, and repeat at a louder volume!*

Sorry I havn’t posted in awhile. It’s just that, well, my life is insane. This past month has been eventful, and I can hardly believe how little time I have left!

School is the typical Montessori chaos. About a week ago the headmistress asked me to create and teach a song for the kindergarten kids to sing at the graduation ceremony. Not only do I have zero musical talent, but every single Ghanaian can sing and come up with songs no problem. Why she picked the obruni for the task I have no idea. Luckily a few teachers were helping me, and no surprise, they came up with an awesome song in no time. I was relieved I didn’t have to sing in front of 50 kindergarteners. Little did I know, a few days later I would be marching and leading all the older kids in the song.

2 weeks ago I had my typical Monday morning of surprises. The first: One of my favorite teachers, Monsieur John the French teacher has left. Everyone knows I speak French so I got to teach French for 2 weeks until a new teacher was hired! I loved it and it was super fun to teach an academic subject. My other surprise was that a previous volunteer, Lindsay, from 3 years ago, was coming back to visit. She leaves only a few days before I do so I have a new roomie for the rest of my time here! She’s super nice and it’s interesting to hear about the school and what the family were like a few years back. And it’s absolutely made me realize that I want to come back and visit my students one day!

My other news is Timoskay news: We reached our goal!! It has been so exciting watching all the donations come in and I want to send a huge thank you to everyone who helped out. Our final total is $5901 which is absolutely incredible. The money is being wired this week and we are all set for construction to begin! The facebook page has been updated with pictures of the new staircase leading up to the second floor. The kids are all super excited and they can tell big things are happening for the school! Again, a huge thank you to everyone who donated; I’ve been consistently blown away by your generosity over the past few weeks.

I’ll share one more story with you before I head back to my little pink house to clean up my disaster of a room. (Clothes, drawings, paper, and glitter everywhere…)

Yesterday afternoon we had a rehearsal for graduation. Lately its been no lessons in the afternoon as this grad ceremony is a big deal. The younger kids sing their Montessori song, lower primary is doing a dance routine, and upper primary and JHS are doing cadets. The marching is back in full form and the kids are always trying to get me to join in! So, yesterday afternoon Lindsay and I were sitting in the shade watching them march when the headmistress taught them the Montessori song. Then she figured they should march along the road singing the song. She looked around for someone to lead them. Uh oh. Spotting Lindsay and I, she came over saying “You know the words, right?” I’m one of those tone deaf, no rhythm people that has a fear of singing in public. But hey, why not try something new? Hah. So Lindsay and I took our places at the front of all the students, and sang. We sang a line (badly) and they would repeat it back to us. While marching (again, badly). But it was tons of fun. We lead them around to the front of the school where all the rest of the students were. And it was something I’ll never forget. Singing in Africa, no big deal J

Love,
Sarah