A busy day in standard 7 in Lipunga Primary. The teachers are taking some of the strategies I have demonstrated and incorporated them into their planning across the curriculum. Blessings used group discussions to explore the work of the early missionaries in Africa and then used a fun quiz to round up the lesson. Jane used think pair share in English while addressing fact and opinion.
The children have to do the majority of their learning in English which is really difficult as many of their families only speak Chichewa so Jane has begun to explain her lessons in chichewa too - this has brought many nodding heads and smiles.
I demonstrated some maths games today that help learners recognise and understand maths language. We took our game outside and attached the signs to the trees. It was great fun. A maths session using pictures to solve problems was finished off with a wee peer marking session.
Through discussions with staff and management we are establishing what they would like in the library area. Today we also started planning an interactive science corner - honest the teachers came up with that themselves! Tonight I'm looking at developing appropriate and relevant approaches to music and science investigation skills.
Yesterday and today thousands of local villagers gathered in groups in our school grounds. Today we met the chief of the village and found out that they are applying for food aid from a charity becausetheir crops failed due to the drought. This application is a very difficult process and every villagers name must be on the list - this is why they have been meeting for so long.
This is where the reality of climate change really hits home - these people are fighting for survival - I think I will come home even more committed to eco and sustainability - the world can become a fairer place if we try!
