Blog Number 16
February 29, 2008
Happy Leap Year!!!!
This has been a very good, busy week!! Monday I was home from school early, and Partey and I took a walk into Osu, Tuesday I was home early but then a teacher came and picked me up from my house and we went out for a drink at a close outside bar! Wednesday I didn’t get home from school until 8:30-9:00. There was a PTA meeting that all the teachers have to attend and that Sr. Introduced me to the over 200 people who came to the meeting. Thursday school closed at 1:00pm so that all of the teachers could attend a requiem mass at the cathedral for all of the teachers of private schools. I did not attend the mass because Auntie Agnes and I were going to go shopping for some souvenirs, however she got stuck doing some errands and we didn’t end up going. It was perfectly fine because I had a great chance to nap!!! Once Auntie Agnes got home it was too late to go, so instead we had a cooking lesson. Auntie Agnes is teaching me how to cook many of the foods that she has prepared for me over the past 9 weeks, so that I won’t miss them. She is also telling me about the substitutions that I can make-if I have a hard time finding it in the US-so that it will still taste about the same. Last night I learned how to make the gravy, which they end up adding to many of the foods that they cook. It is extremely nutritious, only onions, tomatoes and spices. That is it! No sugar, no added fats, just all natural. And it is SOOO delicious!! However, it took us about an hour and a half just to cook this sauce. So now I have a much greater appreciation for all of the cooking that Auntie Agnes has been doing for me. She has taken so much time an and I have always appreciated it, but now I appreciate it even more!!
I have been doing a lot of marking this week to make sure that I have everything all set for Bright after I leave. Also, we have parent-teacher conferences next week and we need everything set for them.
This weekend my cooperating teacher, and a bunch of the other people that I have been spending time with, will be spending the weekend watching movies and hanging out at his house. I am also getting my hair braided tomorrow morning so that when my mom arrives on Monday night next week I will be looking very Ghanaian.
Hope the snow has finally stopped falling!
See you soon
☺ Chelsea ☺
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Blog Number 15
February 25, 2008
This week has come WAY too fast! I literally cannot even believe that I am preparing my closing assignments, and finishing up my projects. This is officially my last week of teaching a full week. Next week we have classes Monday, a shortened day on Tuesday and then we have parent/teacher conferences on Wednesday and a national holiday on Thursday. Because of that, the students will not be in school until the 12th and that will be two days after I leave. So my last day with the students is Tuesday February 4th, 2008!!! I haven’t been saying too much about this being the end, but it ends up continuously coming into conversation. Whether it is one of the students telling other teachers, my co-op bringing it up, or one of the other teachers that I am friends with and each time, it is just as unbelievable to hear.
My time here has literally been one of the best experiences of my life. Not only has it totally strengthened my want to be a teacher, but it has also forced me to re-evaluate my teaching techniques and I have proven myself to be ready for whatever else can come my way. I cannot imagine ever being put into a situation, as much unlike what I am used to, and coming out totally confident for what I am doing, and why I am doing it. Working with these students, and having them realize what I am trying to say, even though our ways of speaking, or reference points as well as the words that we use are often very different, is watching that light bulb turn on for a student. However due to our cultural differences, this occurs with such regularity that I cannot imagine a day without it. I have brought an extremely different way of life to these students, a culture so unlike theirs that they cannot help but just stare. Watching the amazement fly across their face as soon as I begin to answer a question is one of the coolest things ever. And they are always asking questions that make the American way of life seem so ridiculous, but is just part of our culture. Much like the fact that Ghanaians eat with their hands, and cross through traffic like their car is invisible.
Being immersed in the Ghanaian culture is nothing that you can plan for, and nothing that you can dream of, but is also nothing that I will ever forget, and hopefully will never distance myself from. They had given their entire culture to me and have guided me through every bit of it, that I owe quite a few people a lot of gratitude.
I have even offered to write the papers for a few of them to come to the United States with me. Hey this is a polygamist culture, so who cares as long as they are getting the opportunity to come and visit.
One thing of the past two weeks that has been totally bringing me down is the fact that Partey is starting to distance himself a bit. For the past 7 weeks that I have been here, Partey has come to my door every morning to say good morning, and for me to tell him to have a good day at school. He only came by once last week. When I asked him why he said that I just wouldn’t understand. But I think I do. I catch him looking at my with his eyes a bit glazed. This 14 year old gives everything about himself to make the St. Norbert Students feel beyond comfortable in his house, and after 7-9 weeks they will always go home, and the house will go back to being quiet. Partey even got mad at me the other day for staying to have a drink with some of the teachers, rather then coming home so I would be here when he got home from school. I am giving partey his space, because I do not want to make this any harder on him, yet I want him to know that I honestly will miss him and that he has left an imprint in my life.
Ok, so sorry if you found this blog a bit sappy. I really do not even know how to explain my draw to this country and this way of life and I wanted everyone else who reads this to understand what an amazing blessing I have had, by having this opportunity to come here!!
But don’t worry, I still have exactly two weeks here and I WILL make the best of them!!
Love you all!
☺Chelsea☺
February 25, 2008
This week has come WAY too fast! I literally cannot even believe that I am preparing my closing assignments, and finishing up my projects. This is officially my last week of teaching a full week. Next week we have classes Monday, a shortened day on Tuesday and then we have parent/teacher conferences on Wednesday and a national holiday on Thursday. Because of that, the students will not be in school until the 12th and that will be two days after I leave. So my last day with the students is Tuesday February 4th, 2008!!! I haven’t been saying too much about this being the end, but it ends up continuously coming into conversation. Whether it is one of the students telling other teachers, my co-op bringing it up, or one of the other teachers that I am friends with and each time, it is just as unbelievable to hear.
My time here has literally been one of the best experiences of my life. Not only has it totally strengthened my want to be a teacher, but it has also forced me to re-evaluate my teaching techniques and I have proven myself to be ready for whatever else can come my way. I cannot imagine ever being put into a situation, as much unlike what I am used to, and coming out totally confident for what I am doing, and why I am doing it. Working with these students, and having them realize what I am trying to say, even though our ways of speaking, or reference points as well as the words that we use are often very different, is watching that light bulb turn on for a student. However due to our cultural differences, this occurs with such regularity that I cannot imagine a day without it. I have brought an extremely different way of life to these students, a culture so unlike theirs that they cannot help but just stare. Watching the amazement fly across their face as soon as I begin to answer a question is one of the coolest things ever. And they are always asking questions that make the American way of life seem so ridiculous, but is just part of our culture. Much like the fact that Ghanaians eat with their hands, and cross through traffic like their car is invisible.
Being immersed in the Ghanaian culture is nothing that you can plan for, and nothing that you can dream of, but is also nothing that I will ever forget, and hopefully will never distance myself from. They had given their entire culture to me and have guided me through every bit of it, that I owe quite a few people a lot of gratitude.
I have even offered to write the papers for a few of them to come to the United States with me. Hey this is a polygamist culture, so who cares as long as they are getting the opportunity to come and visit.
One thing of the past two weeks that has been totally bringing me down is the fact that Partey is starting to distance himself a bit. For the past 7 weeks that I have been here, Partey has come to my door every morning to say good morning, and for me to tell him to have a good day at school. He only came by once last week. When I asked him why he said that I just wouldn’t understand. But I think I do. I catch him looking at my with his eyes a bit glazed. This 14 year old gives everything about himself to make the St. Norbert Students feel beyond comfortable in his house, and after 7-9 weeks they will always go home, and the house will go back to being quiet. Partey even got mad at me the other day for staying to have a drink with some of the teachers, rather then coming home so I would be here when he got home from school. I am giving partey his space, because I do not want to make this any harder on him, yet I want him to know that I honestly will miss him and that he has left an imprint in my life.
Ok, so sorry if you found this blog a bit sappy. I really do not even know how to explain my draw to this country and this way of life and I wanted everyone else who reads this to understand what an amazing blessing I have had, by having this opportunity to come here!!
But don’t worry, I still have exactly two weeks here and I WILL make the best of them!!
Love you all!
☺Chelsea☺
Friday, February 22, 2008
Blog Number 14
February 21, 2008
Last week Wednesday I started my final project with the students in composition. I have been working on putting it together for about the past 2 to 3 weeks to make sure that I have the details all figured out, and I ran the whole project pass bright to make sure that it is ok! So last week, was just laying the groundwork, and this week we actually began the project.
With the 45 students in the class we are writing a Choose your own Adventure story continuing the story of one of their legends. One of the stories is based off of “How the Crab Lost it’s Head” and the other is “How the Tortoise got it’s Shell.” This week I put the students into the groups that they asked for, and assigned group leaders. Then the students were given a chance to work as a team to get some work done that I assigned the group. Tomorrow they will turn in their first drafts of the stories that they are writing and next week, they will but the individual stories together to make one whole group story. I am really excited about this project, because so far the students have really gotten into it. In fact, one group even came up with a team name and team rules that they expect from each other, the first being “ Listen to Ms. Chelsea so we all understand what is going on!” Man did I train these students well or what?! Haha. Some of the groups definitely worked better then others, but for the most part I finally see the project coming together and going to work! YES!!!
This week was the first week that some of the teachers held it against me for being American. President Bush came to Accra this past Tuesday evening through Thursday morning, and just about the whole city shut down. All of the major roads in and out of the city were closed for safety precautions, and armed policeman constantly monitored whole regions of Accra. In fact. School closed early on Tuesday and Wednesday because they wanted to be able to get all of the students’ home before the roads closed. Many of the teachers and parents complained about what a hassle this was. They also made very distinct comparisons to President Bush and Bill Clinton. I guess that Mr. Clinton came to visit during his term, and like this visit the whole city shut down, but unlike with President Bush, it shut down because everyone went to Independence square to meet and hear Mr. Clinton speak. I guess that the school children lined the path from the airport to the square, and Mr. Clinton even through some candy to them. Many of the Ghanaians thought this was so honorable of the President. President Bush’s visit however was simply to visit with all of the high governmental officials, evaluate the countries health practices, and see how we can stop the Spread of Malaria. One of the newspapers headline read “President Bush moves on to Fighting Mosquitoes” I definitely liked this one!
So today, after school I went with a couple of teachers to get a drink to celebrate the departure of President Bush and the return to regular life. It was a great time, and something fun to celebrate.
This weekend I will be traveling to yet another Funeral. Auntie Agnes’s friend (also names Agnes Batsa) passed away a few weeks ago so we are going for this. We leave tomorrow and will not return until Sunday. It will be pretty cool because it is in the village that Daddy is the Chief of, and so we will stay at their home. I am so anxious to see this home because I have heard some pretty amazing things about it!
My mom comes one week from Monday, and I am getting so excited for her to be here, but at the same time a little sad because that means that I will be leaving ☹
Hope life is good for everyone!
☺ Chelsea ☺
February 21, 2008
Last week Wednesday I started my final project with the students in composition. I have been working on putting it together for about the past 2 to 3 weeks to make sure that I have the details all figured out, and I ran the whole project pass bright to make sure that it is ok! So last week, was just laying the groundwork, and this week we actually began the project.
With the 45 students in the class we are writing a Choose your own Adventure story continuing the story of one of their legends. One of the stories is based off of “How the Crab Lost it’s Head” and the other is “How the Tortoise got it’s Shell.” This week I put the students into the groups that they asked for, and assigned group leaders. Then the students were given a chance to work as a team to get some work done that I assigned the group. Tomorrow they will turn in their first drafts of the stories that they are writing and next week, they will but the individual stories together to make one whole group story. I am really excited about this project, because so far the students have really gotten into it. In fact, one group even came up with a team name and team rules that they expect from each other, the first being “ Listen to Ms. Chelsea so we all understand what is going on!” Man did I train these students well or what?! Haha. Some of the groups definitely worked better then others, but for the most part I finally see the project coming together and going to work! YES!!!
This week was the first week that some of the teachers held it against me for being American. President Bush came to Accra this past Tuesday evening through Thursday morning, and just about the whole city shut down. All of the major roads in and out of the city were closed for safety precautions, and armed policeman constantly monitored whole regions of Accra. In fact. School closed early on Tuesday and Wednesday because they wanted to be able to get all of the students’ home before the roads closed. Many of the teachers and parents complained about what a hassle this was. They also made very distinct comparisons to President Bush and Bill Clinton. I guess that Mr. Clinton came to visit during his term, and like this visit the whole city shut down, but unlike with President Bush, it shut down because everyone went to Independence square to meet and hear Mr. Clinton speak. I guess that the school children lined the path from the airport to the square, and Mr. Clinton even through some candy to them. Many of the Ghanaians thought this was so honorable of the President. President Bush’s visit however was simply to visit with all of the high governmental officials, evaluate the countries health practices, and see how we can stop the Spread of Malaria. One of the newspapers headline read “President Bush moves on to Fighting Mosquitoes” I definitely liked this one!
So today, after school I went with a couple of teachers to get a drink to celebrate the departure of President Bush and the return to regular life. It was a great time, and something fun to celebrate.
This weekend I will be traveling to yet another Funeral. Auntie Agnes’s friend (also names Agnes Batsa) passed away a few weeks ago so we are going for this. We leave tomorrow and will not return until Sunday. It will be pretty cool because it is in the village that Daddy is the Chief of, and so we will stay at their home. I am so anxious to see this home because I have heard some pretty amazing things about it!
My mom comes one week from Monday, and I am getting so excited for her to be here, but at the same time a little sad because that means that I will be leaving ☹
Hope life is good for everyone!
☺ Chelsea ☺
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Blog Number 13
February 18, 2008
Whenever people think of funerals, no matter what the age of the person, most people automatically think of lots of crying, and an extremely sad event. This past weekend, we had the funeral for the roommate to Bright (my co-op) ‘s sister. She was 40 years old and passed away from the Chicken Pox. So I was fully prepared for this to be an extremely emotional day. So again we had to board the bus at 6:30am. However this week our journey wasn’t quite as long. We were only going about 45 kilometers from Accra to a village called Somanya. This village is where Auntie Agnes grew up, but I didn’t know that until Friday. So anyways, we got there extremely early and sat around for some time. Again a group of teachers all went, however this time, the teachers were much more of the younger teachers from the school. This ended up being the best part. Bright was busy most of the day helping out Tsatsu so we didn’t see him that much, but he continued to stop in to check to make sure that I was ok! He even introduced me to his mom and elder brother who came 2 hours for the funeral.
All day, us teachers just sat around, talked, ate and drank. There were girls who walked around carrying the jewelry that they make, these beautiful beads that are specialized in this region, and would customize bracelets to fit each person. One of the male teachers bought one for me. It turns out that the bracelet only cost 75 pesoes, which is about 75 cents! I couldn’t believe it!!! I ended up having to buy a few more sets!
Once the teachers rejoined the full group party, we were met with more drinking, and plenty of music and dancing. I was having a great time just watching and talking with one of the teachers, until one of the older male teachers grabbed me by both wrists and pulled me out onto the dance floor. Rather then fighting it and returning to my seat I decided to stay out and get a few African dance lessons. Almost immediately I was swallowed up in the midst of just about all of the older men and women at the funeral, all wanting to hold my hands, or show me how, or dance with me. Thankfully one of the other teachers grabbed my camera and got some pictures, because it truly was fun to be taken in by this crowd, demanding for my attention.
We didn’t end up leaving the party until about 5:40pm and returned just before 7:00pm to Accra. It was such a fun day, and definitely one of the best since I have been here.
Sunday was an extremely low-key day. Other then some wash and grocery shopping, I just hung out around the house. We had the rematch of football from last week, where Partey and I ended up beating Michael and Gaybril 20 to 19 in an intense 3.5-hour game played in 99-degree weather. I ended up tearing up the bottom of my feet because I played in my sandals, but it was TOTALLy worth the win and now the bragging rights around the house
School today was the same as many other Mondays. My Spelling lesson went really well and I taught the students another new game, but only after they finished their exercise that I gave. Also, Many of the teachers, including the head mistress, came up to me because they heard that I had such a good time at the funeral that I even got up to dance!! I confirmed what they heard, and reinforced how awesome the teachers treat me while I am with them.
Tonight the electricity and water are both out. I didn’t think to get my flashlight out before it got dark, so now I cannot find it! So I am lying in the pitch black, with no fan and am just about dying! It is SOOO hot tonight and absolutely no breeze!! Since the electricity has been out since early today, the fridge is no longer cool, which means I cannot even drink a cold glass of water! Ah nuts!!
Hope you are all enjoying the snow!
☺ Chelsea ☺
February 18, 2008
Whenever people think of funerals, no matter what the age of the person, most people automatically think of lots of crying, and an extremely sad event. This past weekend, we had the funeral for the roommate to Bright (my co-op) ‘s sister. She was 40 years old and passed away from the Chicken Pox. So I was fully prepared for this to be an extremely emotional day. So again we had to board the bus at 6:30am. However this week our journey wasn’t quite as long. We were only going about 45 kilometers from Accra to a village called Somanya. This village is where Auntie Agnes grew up, but I didn’t know that until Friday. So anyways, we got there extremely early and sat around for some time. Again a group of teachers all went, however this time, the teachers were much more of the younger teachers from the school. This ended up being the best part. Bright was busy most of the day helping out Tsatsu so we didn’t see him that much, but he continued to stop in to check to make sure that I was ok! He even introduced me to his mom and elder brother who came 2 hours for the funeral.
All day, us teachers just sat around, talked, ate and drank. There were girls who walked around carrying the jewelry that they make, these beautiful beads that are specialized in this region, and would customize bracelets to fit each person. One of the male teachers bought one for me. It turns out that the bracelet only cost 75 pesoes, which is about 75 cents! I couldn’t believe it!!! I ended up having to buy a few more sets!
Once the teachers rejoined the full group party, we were met with more drinking, and plenty of music and dancing. I was having a great time just watching and talking with one of the teachers, until one of the older male teachers grabbed me by both wrists and pulled me out onto the dance floor. Rather then fighting it and returning to my seat I decided to stay out and get a few African dance lessons. Almost immediately I was swallowed up in the midst of just about all of the older men and women at the funeral, all wanting to hold my hands, or show me how, or dance with me. Thankfully one of the other teachers grabbed my camera and got some pictures, because it truly was fun to be taken in by this crowd, demanding for my attention.
We didn’t end up leaving the party until about 5:40pm and returned just before 7:00pm to Accra. It was such a fun day, and definitely one of the best since I have been here.
Sunday was an extremely low-key day. Other then some wash and grocery shopping, I just hung out around the house. We had the rematch of football from last week, where Partey and I ended up beating Michael and Gaybril 20 to 19 in an intense 3.5-hour game played in 99-degree weather. I ended up tearing up the bottom of my feet because I played in my sandals, but it was TOTALLy worth the win and now the bragging rights around the house
School today was the same as many other Mondays. My Spelling lesson went really well and I taught the students another new game, but only after they finished their exercise that I gave. Also, Many of the teachers, including the head mistress, came up to me because they heard that I had such a good time at the funeral that I even got up to dance!! I confirmed what they heard, and reinforced how awesome the teachers treat me while I am with them.
Tonight the electricity and water are both out. I didn’t think to get my flashlight out before it got dark, so now I cannot find it! So I am lying in the pitch black, with no fan and am just about dying! It is SOOO hot tonight and absolutely no breeze!! Since the electricity has been out since early today, the fridge is no longer cool, which means I cannot even drink a cold glass of water! Ah nuts!!
Hope you are all enjoying the snow!
☺ Chelsea ☺
Blog Number 12
February 14, 2008
So tomorrow officially marks the end of teaching week number six. I wouldn’t have even realized it, had it not been for a teacher who asked me how much time they had left with me. When I mentioned the date, he reminded me that it was only three week from Monday that 4 Monday’s from this Monday, I would be boarding the plane to head home. Thinking back to my stay in Spain, it was at this time in my trip that I was so eager to go home, that I literally made a weeks itinerary of every food that I missed that my mom would have to make as well as all of the things that I would do, including laying in my bed all day because I missed it!
Well now, here I am and literally have no concept of time, whether it is how long I have been here or how much I have left. But rather I am measuring the things that I would still like to do, and that list is quite long! I do not even want to think about even getting ready to go home right now. There are still teachers who owe me drinks; there is a movie marathon day with my cooperating teacher (to watch all of the movies he is astounded that I haven’t ever seen) as well as a trip up north to see the waterfall, and game land to hopefully see some truly African animals. There are many more trips to the market to get souvenirs, as well as much more bargaining to be done. I haven’t come close to filling my camera’s memory card as I had intended to do by now, and I have about three more card games that I would like to teach the boys.
I have finally been able to get used to the heat that I walk out into every morning, and I am so part of the teachers, daily lunch group that when I didn’t go to lunch about 3 students asked why I wasn’t with them. One of the newest plans of one of my favorite teachers here, Godwin, is that I will finish my degree by student teaching at Webster, however that student teaching will be done by a distance learning lab. They are going to capture me to stay and teach here. They also assured me that there are 8 men at the school, 3 under the age of 30 who are going to marry me so that I will feel as comfortable as possible!
So, now I have to change the subject because writing about having to leave is not making me happy and today is Valentines Day, so there is no excuse not to be in a good mood!
Today I showed up at my school all decked out in my red, to celebrate the holiday. Of course the only other teachers wearing red were the KG teachers, but that didn’t matter at all, rather it just made more people compliment the outfit! The students were instructed by the head mistress, the day before that there was to be no exchange of valentines at school, however I saw groups of girls and even some boys exchanging quick cards to their classmates. One girl even brought one up to me. It was a homemade card that not only wished me a happy valentines day, but also it was to wish my family the best, especially with me so far away,
Teaching wise, I had a pretty big week. For the last week and a half I have been working with a student on extra help in spelling. Last week on the spelling test he got a 7 out of 20. This Monday when we met after school to go over the test and work I had given him, he had a huge smile on his face and showed me that he received an 18 out of 20 on the test!!! The rest of the week was spent on finalizing details for a big project that I will be working with the students on for the next three weeks. We are writing a Choose your Own Adventure Story, much like the one we did in instructional tech during sophomore block. This Wednesday I introduced the project and we voted on the story that we will be continuing. Both classes choose an African tale that they all know, the first being how the Crab Lost it’s Head, and the second is How the Tortoise got it’s Shell. We then choose four continuation lines that the four groups of students will be working on to write the story. Since the class is 46, each initial group will have 11 students in it. From there, we will break the groups up further so each group will have about 5. While we will be writing a class story, each of the students will be writing their own story, from which their group will draw ideas to put together the class story. This project should be covering a variety of teaching standards from the curriculum that my cooperating teacher showed me. Overall, Wednesday went really well and both classes seemed to be extremely excited about this idea. They are already eager for next Wednesday when they find out their groups, and can begin to write their stories!
OK, well I hope that everyone has had a wonderful Valentines Day, and that they did not eat too many chocolates (Ghana decided that today is not only Valentines day, but National Chocolate Day, so many of the children brought Chocolates for the teachers!)
Bola, let me know if that distant learning lab thing would be a possibility for my next placement?!
☺Chelsea☺
February 14, 2008
So tomorrow officially marks the end of teaching week number six. I wouldn’t have even realized it, had it not been for a teacher who asked me how much time they had left with me. When I mentioned the date, he reminded me that it was only three week from Monday that 4 Monday’s from this Monday, I would be boarding the plane to head home. Thinking back to my stay in Spain, it was at this time in my trip that I was so eager to go home, that I literally made a weeks itinerary of every food that I missed that my mom would have to make as well as all of the things that I would do, including laying in my bed all day because I missed it!
Well now, here I am and literally have no concept of time, whether it is how long I have been here or how much I have left. But rather I am measuring the things that I would still like to do, and that list is quite long! I do not even want to think about even getting ready to go home right now. There are still teachers who owe me drinks; there is a movie marathon day with my cooperating teacher (to watch all of the movies he is astounded that I haven’t ever seen) as well as a trip up north to see the waterfall, and game land to hopefully see some truly African animals. There are many more trips to the market to get souvenirs, as well as much more bargaining to be done. I haven’t come close to filling my camera’s memory card as I had intended to do by now, and I have about three more card games that I would like to teach the boys.
I have finally been able to get used to the heat that I walk out into every morning, and I am so part of the teachers, daily lunch group that when I didn’t go to lunch about 3 students asked why I wasn’t with them. One of the newest plans of one of my favorite teachers here, Godwin, is that I will finish my degree by student teaching at Webster, however that student teaching will be done by a distance learning lab. They are going to capture me to stay and teach here. They also assured me that there are 8 men at the school, 3 under the age of 30 who are going to marry me so that I will feel as comfortable as possible!
So, now I have to change the subject because writing about having to leave is not making me happy and today is Valentines Day, so there is no excuse not to be in a good mood!
Today I showed up at my school all decked out in my red, to celebrate the holiday. Of course the only other teachers wearing red were the KG teachers, but that didn’t matter at all, rather it just made more people compliment the outfit! The students were instructed by the head mistress, the day before that there was to be no exchange of valentines at school, however I saw groups of girls and even some boys exchanging quick cards to their classmates. One girl even brought one up to me. It was a homemade card that not only wished me a happy valentines day, but also it was to wish my family the best, especially with me so far away,
Teaching wise, I had a pretty big week. For the last week and a half I have been working with a student on extra help in spelling. Last week on the spelling test he got a 7 out of 20. This Monday when we met after school to go over the test and work I had given him, he had a huge smile on his face and showed me that he received an 18 out of 20 on the test!!! The rest of the week was spent on finalizing details for a big project that I will be working with the students on for the next three weeks. We are writing a Choose your Own Adventure Story, much like the one we did in instructional tech during sophomore block. This Wednesday I introduced the project and we voted on the story that we will be continuing. Both classes choose an African tale that they all know, the first being how the Crab Lost it’s Head, and the second is How the Tortoise got it’s Shell. We then choose four continuation lines that the four groups of students will be working on to write the story. Since the class is 46, each initial group will have 11 students in it. From there, we will break the groups up further so each group will have about 5. While we will be writing a class story, each of the students will be writing their own story, from which their group will draw ideas to put together the class story. This project should be covering a variety of teaching standards from the curriculum that my cooperating teacher showed me. Overall, Wednesday went really well and both classes seemed to be extremely excited about this idea. They are already eager for next Wednesday when they find out their groups, and can begin to write their stories!
OK, well I hope that everyone has had a wonderful Valentines Day, and that they did not eat too many chocolates (Ghana decided that today is not only Valentines day, but National Chocolate Day, so many of the children brought Chocolates for the teachers!)
Bola, let me know if that distant learning lab thing would be a possibility for my next placement?!
☺Chelsea☺
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Blog Number 11
February 11, 2008
This was by far my favorite weekend since I have been here. I am still absolutely exhausted from the weekend but it was well worth it!
On Friday I ended up going for drinks with a few of the teachers, and then returned home to eat dinner with the family, play a few cards and go to bed early! It was an extremely hot day, and I hadn’t worn sunscreen in a while, so when I returned home, my chest was burnt in a very ugly farmers tan. I had plans for Saturday bright and early and was planning on wearing a cute strapless black dress, but because of the tan I wouldn’t dare!!!
Saturday morning I was boarding a bus at 6:00am to head to the north Volta region to attend the funeral of a woman who I frequently sat in on her class. She teachers class one, so I figured that since I am returning to the states to teach first grade, it would be a great opportunity to compare the two education settings for this grade. So anyways, bright and early I headed to school, a few minutes late, to see the bus being loaded with our food and plenty of drinks for the day. All of the other teachers going (about 35 of us) were all in black traditional clothing and looking beautiful. Because of late arrivers, we ended up not departing the school until 7:05am. Even though it was so early in the morning, there was absolutely no way that I could sit on the bus. Not only was I smushed between two people, but also because the landscape was so beautiful that I couldn’t look away! Between the rolling hills, beautiful rock landscapes, huge towering trees or the small villages that we were passing through, it was absolutely amazing. At one point, we were going through a tunnel of tree’s and the bus started to slow down. I normally would not have thought twice about it, but the front immediately broke into conversation and was peering through the windows. I stood up, to watch the bus slowly passing a clan of baboons all relaxing in the shade of the trees. Unfortunately my camera was tangled at the bottom of my purse so I could not get a picture but it was way cool!! The whole trip was absolutely beautiful. We crossed this huge suspended bridge and looking the sun was at its full peak as it shined onto lake Volta. It really was a very cool trip.
The village was very smart, so when we arrived, we were immediately just outside the church. In this particular village, they had saved the funerals to do them all together so there were five going on at one church, and 6 at each of the other two. Because of this, the village was absolutely packed with people. In fact, we didn’t get a chance to go into the church because we were late and the church was already full. So we sat at a house outside, just outside of the house and eat the lunch of ken key and stew that was prepared by one of the staff from school.
The rest of the afternoon went by pretty quickly. We mostly sat around, talking and in my case, a lot of observing. From reading the death brochure, I found out that the man we were there to mourn has been dead since November 14th. He has been kept in the morgue until the family could afford to have everyone together and to pay for the funeral.
We got home at just after 6:30pm. By then the consolation match of the African cup was going on and Ghana was losing to Ivory Coast, 2 to 1. However, once I was able to watch it, and being the good luck charm that I am for the team, they ended up coming back to win! 4-2!!! It was a great match, and the black stars were awarded the bronze medal from the tournament.
Saturday night, the seamstress who was working on a traditional outfit for me brought my clothes over. The fabric is very cool and I choose a great style. It is a bit big, but it definitely looks nice! I ended up wearing it to church with my host mother on Sunday and I received many complements.
Finally on Sunday I had a bit of a chance to relax before one of the teachers from school called me to come to the Championship match of Egypt vs. Cameroon!! I was so excited!! Our tickets cost 4 cede, which is about $5, and we were sitting right behind one of the goals. Just to be in the stadium was super excited and there was constant singing, dancing, clapping and screaming!! Egypt ended up winning the cup in the end 1-0. There was the closing ceremony and firework!!
So overall, this was an extremely eventful, very Ghanaian, and ridiculously fun weekend!!! I am exhausted starting out this week, but I will have plenty of time to sleep now that the football matches are all over!!!
I hear it is record lows again in Green Bay. So while you are all freezing, I have been sweating like it is my job! It is SO HOT!!!
Miss you all!
☺ Chelsea ☺
February 11, 2008
This was by far my favorite weekend since I have been here. I am still absolutely exhausted from the weekend but it was well worth it!
On Friday I ended up going for drinks with a few of the teachers, and then returned home to eat dinner with the family, play a few cards and go to bed early! It was an extremely hot day, and I hadn’t worn sunscreen in a while, so when I returned home, my chest was burnt in a very ugly farmers tan. I had plans for Saturday bright and early and was planning on wearing a cute strapless black dress, but because of the tan I wouldn’t dare!!!
Saturday morning I was boarding a bus at 6:00am to head to the north Volta region to attend the funeral of a woman who I frequently sat in on her class. She teachers class one, so I figured that since I am returning to the states to teach first grade, it would be a great opportunity to compare the two education settings for this grade. So anyways, bright and early I headed to school, a few minutes late, to see the bus being loaded with our food and plenty of drinks for the day. All of the other teachers going (about 35 of us) were all in black traditional clothing and looking beautiful. Because of late arrivers, we ended up not departing the school until 7:05am. Even though it was so early in the morning, there was absolutely no way that I could sit on the bus. Not only was I smushed between two people, but also because the landscape was so beautiful that I couldn’t look away! Between the rolling hills, beautiful rock landscapes, huge towering trees or the small villages that we were passing through, it was absolutely amazing. At one point, we were going through a tunnel of tree’s and the bus started to slow down. I normally would not have thought twice about it, but the front immediately broke into conversation and was peering through the windows. I stood up, to watch the bus slowly passing a clan of baboons all relaxing in the shade of the trees. Unfortunately my camera was tangled at the bottom of my purse so I could not get a picture but it was way cool!! The whole trip was absolutely beautiful. We crossed this huge suspended bridge and looking the sun was at its full peak as it shined onto lake Volta. It really was a very cool trip.
The village was very smart, so when we arrived, we were immediately just outside the church. In this particular village, they had saved the funerals to do them all together so there were five going on at one church, and 6 at each of the other two. Because of this, the village was absolutely packed with people. In fact, we didn’t get a chance to go into the church because we were late and the church was already full. So we sat at a house outside, just outside of the house and eat the lunch of ken key and stew that was prepared by one of the staff from school.
The rest of the afternoon went by pretty quickly. We mostly sat around, talking and in my case, a lot of observing. From reading the death brochure, I found out that the man we were there to mourn has been dead since November 14th. He has been kept in the morgue until the family could afford to have everyone together and to pay for the funeral.
We got home at just after 6:30pm. By then the consolation match of the African cup was going on and Ghana was losing to Ivory Coast, 2 to 1. However, once I was able to watch it, and being the good luck charm that I am for the team, they ended up coming back to win! 4-2!!! It was a great match, and the black stars were awarded the bronze medal from the tournament.
Saturday night, the seamstress who was working on a traditional outfit for me brought my clothes over. The fabric is very cool and I choose a great style. It is a bit big, but it definitely looks nice! I ended up wearing it to church with my host mother on Sunday and I received many complements.
Finally on Sunday I had a bit of a chance to relax before one of the teachers from school called me to come to the Championship match of Egypt vs. Cameroon!! I was so excited!! Our tickets cost 4 cede, which is about $5, and we were sitting right behind one of the goals. Just to be in the stadium was super excited and there was constant singing, dancing, clapping and screaming!! Egypt ended up winning the cup in the end 1-0. There was the closing ceremony and firework!!
So overall, this was an extremely eventful, very Ghanaian, and ridiculously fun weekend!!! I am exhausted starting out this week, but I will have plenty of time to sleep now that the football matches are all over!!!
I hear it is record lows again in Green Bay. So while you are all freezing, I have been sweating like it is my job! It is SO HOT!!!
Miss you all!
☺ Chelsea ☺
Friday, February 8, 2008
Blog number 10
February 7, 2008
So tonight I am falling asleep to it being quiet. Ghana lost tonight to Cameroon 0-1. This was the game just before the championship so everyone is very disappointed. The black starts will play Cote d’voire on Saturday for third place.
This week has been a really good week other then the loss. It is started to get very very hot, to I arrive at school sweating, and I do not stop until I am back at home at the end of the day laying under my fan.
After making all of the students kneel on Monday teaching went really well on Tuesday. One of the classes I teach is really good. They are very respectful and very good at keeping quiet if they start getting loud. The other class is not so much. I spend most of the day in that classroom, so I wonder if this is why they are more talkative. When I was teaching the second class, There was a group of 4 boys who just wouldn’t stop talking so they ended up kneeling for the rest of the period. Today I collect the homework assigned on Wednesday, so hopefully I will have a better turn out then the previous two weeks.
Last week Thursday, while everyone was wearing their traditional clothing, I commented on a teacher’s beautiful beads. She questioned whether I really liked them, and then said that she would get me some! Well, after I was all done teaching on Wednesday, One of the students came and called me saying that a teacher was looking for me. Well I have still to learn all of the students’ names, so when she said I was just suppose to go, I had no clue where I was going! I ended up walking a bit until the student saw me and came and told me where it was! When I got to the classroom, she told me that a woman with the beads was here and I should look at them. They were these beautiful beads, that I learned were made right there in the city. I picked out a strand I liked a lot and then the teacher pointed out another that was beautiful. By this time a second teacher had come in and she told me to take ones that would match the cloth that I was making clothes out of. So now I had three beautiful strands of bead that I had to choose from. When I asked about the prices, the teacher who called me there, told me that they were on her and that I can have them! So I ended up leaving the room with three new beautiful necklaces and three new beautiful pairs of earrings (each necklace automatically came with the matching earrings!)
This weekend I am heading up to the north volta region with about 20 of the teachers from school. The class one teacher’s father died and so we are all going to the funeral. We will leave early Saturday morning and return late Saturday night. I am very excited not only to be traveling with the teachers, and getting to spend more time with them, but to also get a chance to experience a Ghanaian funeral!
I officially only have one month left and I cannot believe it! This time is flying!!
Hope things are going well at home!
☺Chelsea☺
February 7, 2008
So tonight I am falling asleep to it being quiet. Ghana lost tonight to Cameroon 0-1. This was the game just before the championship so everyone is very disappointed. The black starts will play Cote d’voire on Saturday for third place.
This week has been a really good week other then the loss. It is started to get very very hot, to I arrive at school sweating, and I do not stop until I am back at home at the end of the day laying under my fan.
After making all of the students kneel on Monday teaching went really well on Tuesday. One of the classes I teach is really good. They are very respectful and very good at keeping quiet if they start getting loud. The other class is not so much. I spend most of the day in that classroom, so I wonder if this is why they are more talkative. When I was teaching the second class, There was a group of 4 boys who just wouldn’t stop talking so they ended up kneeling for the rest of the period. Today I collect the homework assigned on Wednesday, so hopefully I will have a better turn out then the previous two weeks.
Last week Thursday, while everyone was wearing their traditional clothing, I commented on a teacher’s beautiful beads. She questioned whether I really liked them, and then said that she would get me some! Well, after I was all done teaching on Wednesday, One of the students came and called me saying that a teacher was looking for me. Well I have still to learn all of the students’ names, so when she said I was just suppose to go, I had no clue where I was going! I ended up walking a bit until the student saw me and came and told me where it was! When I got to the classroom, she told me that a woman with the beads was here and I should look at them. They were these beautiful beads, that I learned were made right there in the city. I picked out a strand I liked a lot and then the teacher pointed out another that was beautiful. By this time a second teacher had come in and she told me to take ones that would match the cloth that I was making clothes out of. So now I had three beautiful strands of bead that I had to choose from. When I asked about the prices, the teacher who called me there, told me that they were on her and that I can have them! So I ended up leaving the room with three new beautiful necklaces and three new beautiful pairs of earrings (each necklace automatically came with the matching earrings!)
This weekend I am heading up to the north volta region with about 20 of the teachers from school. The class one teacher’s father died and so we are all going to the funeral. We will leave early Saturday morning and return late Saturday night. I am very excited not only to be traveling with the teachers, and getting to spend more time with them, but to also get a chance to experience a Ghanaian funeral!
I officially only have one month left and I cannot believe it! This time is flying!!
Hope things are going well at home!
☺Chelsea☺
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