The time at school so far has been good, as I said before I'm mainly observing and learning at the moment, and I've been in the 'baby' class this week. I've been keeping a few notes of my thoughts which should be helpful when I decide what my focus will be after the first few weeks of observation. Talking things through with Dee and a couple of other people has been very useful too. Mahali is such a great place with very committed staff and they are doing an excellent job, but I can see lots of ways that it could be fine-tuned and made even better. Each day seems to bring a new focus or something else for me to think about, my brain is getting quite full!
I've not taken any photos at the school yet, I will probably take my camera in next week but it was part of my attempt to be seen as a long-term person - although some of the children still call me 'visitor'. It's very cute hearing the little ones call me 'teacher Sarah' though! Anyway, I will substitute some from my visit early in the year to give you an idea of things.
The day begins before I arrive with the children drifting in any time from 7:30/8ish, and they have free choice activities. After that it is parade, which is usually when I arrive - they line up outside and do songs and usually hear a story, a bit like assembly. They are also counted at this point. After that it's inside for first lesson - maths or language - followed by porridge time and a short break.
Next comes maths or language, whichever they didn't do before break, another lesson (Montessori activities or something else) followed by a long break. During break times the children use the great outdoor space for football, skipping, playing with tyres etc as well as playing in the sand, in the playhouse or on the climbing frame.
There are another two lessons that vary according to the day, such as creative activities, science etc and then comes lunchtime!
It really is amazing how much these children eat, but when you consider that it may be their only meal it makes sense. The lunches are nutritious and filling, I eat lunch with them too and mostly enjoy them very much (except perhaps the ugali!)
After lunch comes more time to play, cleaning up and usually some singing before home time at 3. Many of the children walk home on their own or just with siblings, which is quite incredible when you think they're mostly 6 or under.
After the first day, when I got a lift with Dee, I've been travelling by taxi. However, this is quite expensive as a long-term option, so I have been experimenting with other forms of transport on my way home. On Wednesday I used a matatu for the first time, which is like a minibus and they are usually very old and often crowded, but despite being a bit worried beforehand it was actually fine. I was also very pleased that I paid the proper amount rather than being told a larger sum - one of the teachers waited with me and told me what the fare should be, I got on and said 20? and the man said yes :-) I got the matatu into Karen, where it stops, and then I did some shopping and got the taxi from there, which at least meant only half a taxi fare. Today I got the matatu to Karen and then a bus - it cost me 50 shillings (about 40p) instead of 600 (around £4.50). Although the taxi isn't that expensive for the distance, it's a lot to pay every day, so I am hoping to try out the bus/matatu route in the morning next week... although that will mean getting up rather earlier!
A matatu |
The children I mentioned before seem to be a little better already, I made the little boy smile today getting him to play with me and some other children, and he seemed perkier. He missed a lot of last term as his mum was ill and the children were staying with their aunt who doesn't live near, which probably means that part of what's wrong is he's not been fed so well as he is at school, and also there has been a lot of upheaval and he's probably quite traumatised. However, it was lovely to see his old smile back today - here he is in February:
(Yes, he does look a little like a girl in those clothes - it's not unusual!) |
On my way home today I popped in to a Montessori centre in Karen that looks very well set up and equipped, and I have made an appointment to visit and see round the classes on Monday. I hope to get some ideas of what Montessori education can look like in practice here, and maybe set up a bit of a link - it would be brilliant if the teachers from Mahali could visit perhaps.
Anyway, that's all for now, it's getting rather late and I really meant to get an earlier night tonight! I'll try to update you again soon!
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