03 July 2009 (Friday)—More Teaching

DeAnna and I led class today. For math, I again centered my lesson on measurement. I had the class measure the height and wingspan of a student who did not have their height measured the day before. We used the same method with the yarn and ruler. Next, we measured the head size, waist size, and shoulder to waist size of another student in each group. I told the students that these were measurements that students might need to know how to perform in case they were tailors. Last, but certainly not least, I split the class into four big groups and had each group measure one of the four walls in the classroom. This went surprisingly well…they used chalk to note where they had to move the ruler each time they did so. The measurements were fairly accurate (I stepped off how much each wall approximately measured).

DeAnna did a short lesson on ‘gap-filling’ or filling in the blank that dealt with using the words taller, tallest and shorter, shortest. After our lessons which ended at about 11am/1130am we got to painting the chalk boards in 10 classrooms (Standards 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b….5a, 5b). Before the boards were repainted they had to be washed. About five or six of the girls in DeAnna’s and my class were instructed to do this. After finding this out I searched them out (because we could paint the boards until they were washed and dried). There were 10-year-old girls doing this work and carrying around buckets full of water that they could hardly lift for all of these classrooms. I asked every teacher I saw at the school for a rag to help them but no teach would give me a rag. So I took off my under shirt and got to work with several of the girls from my classroom. It really pissed me off knowing that they put these girls through this. Studies have shown that many girls drop out of schools because they are required to do tasks similar to this—cleaning the bathrooms/walkways/chalk boards/etc.

The coolest thing that I have witnessed in Malawi happened during this. A guy in our class—named Maxwell—then started carrying the buckets and helping the girls clean the black boards. In Malawi a guy doing such work is basically unheard of. It was so cool to witness these social stigmas and views of women as being subservient to men being torn down. This will probably be one of the most memorable moments not only of my time in Malawi, but of my life.
We all got back to Annie’s after a GREAT week of working in the schools. Everybody was feeling great and very happy—not just to get to the weekend—but to have been able to have such a meaningful week. Several of us had a great time at the bar at night…Beth/Carla/Angela/Jeff/Moses/Rachel/Rachel/myself. A good night of relaxing and dancing was a great cap to the week. Everybody here is so friendly/fun/easy going/etc.



02 July 2009 (Thursday)—Relay Races

This was another day that DeAnna and I got to teach. I led a mathematics lesson based on measurement. The students split into their groups and I explained how to measure a person’s height—as well as introduced the concept of height. The children then measured the tallest and the shortest person in their group. The would measure out the height of the person being measured with a piece of yarn—the cut the yarn—then measure the yarn and record their result. They displayed their information on the chalkboard when they finished. The students really picked up how to measure pieces of yarn with rulers. It was a great interactive lesson and went very well.

Next, DeAnna read the students a book titled “The Five Chinese Brothers.” The book discussed several different morals and what not that five Chinese brothers learned throughout an experience one of them had. She introduced the concept of abilities and had the students list their own abilities. The lesson went very well—I can see why DeAnna has remained a teacher for the last 20 something years.

For Expressive Arts we had relay races out on the soccer field. There were about 8 teams of 10 students each and we did about six different relays. Here are the different ones:

Run to a certain spot—then run back
Run backwards to a certain spot—the run forwards back
Skip to a certain spot—run back
...you get the picure.

The last relay I had the smallest member in each group be carried by the other group members to a certain spot and then carried back. It was really funny.
The day went extremely well and was an absolute blast. I had dinner at Annie’s with several people and then lesson planned for the next day when we got back. Another great day in Malawi.



01 July 2009 (Wednesday)—KZEE returns

Today was one of DeAnna’s and my observation days. This week we taught Tuesday/Thursday/Friday and observed Monday/Wednesday. We left our school and walked over to Malemia Primary School (Radford) around 11am. The Radford group has hired two painters from the town of Zomba to paint different things—like alphabets, shapes, animals, maps, etc.—on the walls of the Malemia School. So a few of us Virginia Tech students at the Domasi Government School travelled over there to see the work being done. The painters are named David and Chimwewe and their work is absolutely stunning. I got to stick around the school until 3pm with Dr. Roberts, Kelsey, David, and Chimwewe painting shapes and simple things. David also taught me how to shade different pictures. It was a very neat experience with a guy from the village of Zomba and in a primary school.

We got back in town around 330pm as usual and stopped at ‘The Wall’. I bought a small tapestry-esque picture of a map of Malawi with different animals around it. The picture also has the words ‘The warm heart of Africa’ above a heard of elephants. Several of us had a nice dinner at Tasty Bites shortly thereafter.

We returned to Annie’s shortly before dark and we met up with KZEE at the lodge. I transferred some pictures to his computer (via flash drive) that I had from the times he has spent with us. It was awesome to give him the pictures. He will never forget us…we will never forget him.



30 June 2009 (Tuesday)—Finally Teaching

Today was the first day DeAnna and I led the class. I led our first bit of instruction in Mathematics. Most of the time I will led Math for 60-90 minutes…DeAnna will led English for 60-90 minutes…and then I will led Physical Education for 30-45 minutes on the soccer field.
The first math lesson I had the class doing word problems involving subtracting different weights. We did a few problems as a class—the class would have some time to attempt the problem and then I would go over how to solve the problem on the board. Some of the problems I had different students come up to the board and write down their attempt at a solution. After the class had done the problems on their paper and we reviewed them on the board I handed out calculators to each group. The class gets into groups of about 10 students when they do get into groups. There are about 8 groups…so 8x10 = 80 students. So each group received a calculator—I briefly explained the different functions and uses of the calculator…as well as the meaning of the different buttons on it. The class quickly picked up how to use the calculator and I explained that it was a way to check their work.

DeAnna’s lesson in English centered on a book titled, “Harold and the Purple Crayon.” The story was about a boy named Harold who goes exploring one night and runs into problems—which he solves by drawing different things to help him with his purple crayon. For instance, he is swimming in the sea and draws a boat to help him to safety. While DeAnna was reading the story I drew what Harold was drawing on poster board sheets that were taped to the black board. I was basically Harold. After she read the story, DeAnna recapped the plot and asked students questions by referring to my drawings on the poster board. Lastly, we handed the students construction paper and a crayon and had them draw something that they might need if they went on a journey. We are hanging up their pictures with sticky tack as time goes on.
Next we had Expressive Arts (or Physical Education) that takes place on the soccer field. I taught the children how to play Duck-Duck-Goose as well as split them into 3 groups in the classroom before we went out to the soccer field—this was very crucial to do in the classroom as opposed to out on the soccer field. When we got to the field we did stretching and warming up in a big circle. I was in the middle of the circle surrounded by 80 students that were copying my every move while we warmed up—it was a very neat experience. After that they played Duck-Duck-Goose and appeared to have a great time. Next, we played one quick game of Sharks and Minnows like we did the Friday before this. All in all, it was a great day and the students really seemed to enjoy the time that they had. My first day of teaching/leading a class in Malawi was unbelievable and a time that I will never forget.

After class, we all went to our classroom part of this experience. The VT students, along with Dr. Kelly, discussed the assigned readings we had been given. The conversation flowed really well and I was glad that I had taken notes on the articles. Radford joined in the discussion midway through which added good flavor to the conversation.

Then we went back to Annie’s and things went as usual. We had another big group buffet similar to the birthday dinner buffet—and it was awesome.



29 June 2009 (Monday)—Play hard, but work harder

We travelled to the schools on this day. Before we were all dropped off at our respective schools we went to Mwanje School and gave the Standard 7 students backpacks. They were so incredibly excited. They chanted and sang the whole time we were there and when we were handing out the book bags. They all got to write their name on their back and seeing them do so was awesome.

DeAnna and I observed MacDonald again on this day. We are basically teaching/leading the class for 3 or 4 days a week and observing him teach for 1 or 2 days a week. When we observed we basically student teach or assistant teach. We go around and help the students on their daily activities and what not. I remember them doing an Agriculture lesson on this day. Then during ‘Expressive Arts’ aka physical education on the soccer field they did individual events. The students would come to the middle of the big circle in small groups and do different things—often times gymnastic type activities…like holding each other up or doing flips off of one another. Kind of a bad explanation on my part, but it is one of those things you have to see to understand.

After school we had our normal class with Dr. Kelly—it was only us Virginia Tech students though. We all discussed our project/big paper idea. I have decided on doing an expose that focuses on my mathematics and physical education teaching. I will compare the two topics and how Malawian students learn differently than American children…also what works in Malawi and what does not work…you get the picture…the whole nine yards. We also discussed our service project—which will entail painting the black boards in each classroom at Domasi Government School. After class I took a lot of close-up pictures of flowers around the school. Some had pictures of bees/butterflies in them and I was very excited to get the shots. On our way back into town we stop at ‘The Wall’ and I bought two posters that look very neat. A stop at Tasty Bites for some tasty bites followed and then back to the lodge. At night Jeff and I had a great conversation on what exactly we are doing here in the schools and what we should be doing in the schools. It is important to provided fun things for the children to do, but it is more important for those activities to actually help their learning. We should be an extension of their teacher’s teachings…and incorporate their curriculum into what we do. Most would not expect Jeff and I to have conversations like this at night…because we both like to have a lot of fun…but it has really been a blessing being able to room with him. Play hard, work harder.



28 June 2009 (Sunday)—Church

About eight of us woke up Sunday morning, myself included, went to a Presbyterian church. The service was amazing. After the choir sang a few songs and different groups from the church did the same, the pastor called all eight of us up to the front of the church. We all introduced our self and told the church where we were from. Then the whole church sang a song for us—the song had a meaning of thank you for coming here and welcome to our church…it was very neat. The rest of the service was beautiful. We came back to Annie’s and made a very poor monkey trap. I have pictures…but it was a banana and orange slices on our steps. It did not work.
At night Annie threw a birthday party for Dr. Liz and I. We had a great buffet dinner and Annie had a special cake made with the words ‘LIZ and TOD’ on it. The night was wonderful and Liz and I both received birthday cards. The buffet consisted of chicken curry, potatoes, cooked vegetables, and spinach-type greens. After dinner I had one of my favorite nights here at Annie. Jeff, KZEE, Stuart and I stayed up and watched the United States vs. Brazil soccer game (the Confederations Cup final) at the bar. We were going wild when the United States went up 2-0 and KZEE and Stuart, both Malawians, were going crazy with us. It was a great time.



27 June 2009 (Saturday)—THE Zomba

A few of us…Jeff and I included, woke up a little rough. We all stayed up relatively late on Friday night and had several drinks and tons of dancing…so yeah. The whole group got to leave around 1030am to go experience the town/downtown part of Zomba. We were basically Zomba explorers for a large portion of the day. On the way down there I went into a bike shop to look for a pump for the deflated soccer ball I brought over…but no luck. I came outside only to see no one I recognized in sight…haha yeah apparently everyone had started walking down the street and vanished. I told Angela that I was going into the shop…but she apparently did not understand what I meant, but yeah it was funny. I got to walk around Zomba for about 10 minutes by myself…something that we are not allowed/advised to do for security reasons. Anyway, Jeff and Dr. Kelly found me shortly thereafter and we all went to the fabric shop. I picked up three killer fabrics that will be used to make shorts/shirts/etc. if I want. I will probably use one or two of the fabrics as tapestries at home because they are very beautiful. Jeff also got a sweet fish print that he plans on getting a full outfit of made (and wearing it home).
Then a few of us made stops at an internet café, ‘the wall’—which is the place where vendors sell things, and a great food place called Tasty Bites…and as Jeff says, Tasty Bites has some...tasty bites. The food there is very inexpensive relative to Annie Lodge, but it is great quality. I have gotten pizza, samoas, and beef with rice at Tasty Bites and all have been tremendous. We got back to Annie’s and a replay of the United States vs. Spain soccer game was on. It was the first time Jeff and I watched our television. We got to see both United States’ goals and the tremendous victory over Spain…very cool.

At dinner I ate with Dr. Kelly, Dr. Roberts and Jeff. The main thing I remember from the dinner was finding out that Dr. Roberts is and was a working clown. It was a great conversation. Then Jeff and I went and had some drinks that night and met a Malawian named Stuart who was very funny. KZEE probably showed up later and that was the rest of the night.