School Starts

Classes began on Monday for the students, but half of them didn't show up. Monday morning we got up and were taken around to each of the classes to introduce ourselves. I have to introduce myself as Madam Zalwango Ashley. It is so weird to be called Madam. And I am supposed to call the other teachers Madam and Master, which is going to take some getting used to. The students were so well behaved. When we entered a class room all of the students stood up and said in unison "Good morning teachers. You are welcome teachers. This is P 4 (or whatever grade level)". We would say back "How are you?" and they would answer "We are fine teachers". It was so cute. At first the students were really shy around us, but today they started to open up.

We taught our first official class today and it was P.E. for P1, P2, and P3. We taught one music class last night, but we had a 30 minute warning and were totally unprepared. We played a name game and then wound up playing Heads-Up-7-Up for a while. Afterwards another teacher organized the students together and they sang for us. My heart absolutely melted when I heart them. They sang a bunch of different songs and some of the songs had motions that went along with them. In the background a few of the kids played drums. It was so beautiful!

Next week I should be getting into a more normal schedule. I know that I will be teaching English for P5 every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Together Noreen and I will be teaching P.E. for P1 and P2 everyday and every few days we teach art and music. There is also debate that we have to help judge, sex education, bead making, and general assembly where all of the teachers (including us) have to make a speech to the children. I am looking forward to having a full week of classes. Bye for now!