Classes are going so well. I worked with grade 4 yesterday and it was really amazing. They are so creative, and now they have a channel to put their creativity to use. It is so rewarding to be in the classroom and giving these kids an opportunity they have never had. The younger grades are so used to repeating what the teacher says, especially in English, Nepali, and diction, so they would be repeating what I was saying, as I am giving directions. They are so cute. Also, yesterday the teacher whose period it was (my scedule is basically: in one class a week for each grade - 1 through 10 - I will be replacing their given class with theatre) came to class with me. It was a HUGE help, as I do not speak much Nepali and they are used to having her in the classroom, as far as discipline goes. So when the students were not understanding somehting I was saying, she could just translate it. Also, with a new face and a new classroom experience I am sure it is sooo exciting to be the student...and the teacher. However, excitment can easily be turned into chaos. So having the teacher in the room to assist makes a major difference.
At first I was weary about using specific teaching techniques, like rubbing your hands together when you have an idea - vs. the standard raise your hand - but they totally latched on and it worked like magic.
Today I am working with grades 3 and 8. With grade 3 I have a creative drama curriculum planned...we will see how it works. They love books, so I decided to create a curriculum that we go to the library and visit the librarian who happens to have magic books. When you open the books (book about Animals, food, colors, shapes, the alphabet, etc.) you can travel to the land where the book is set. My idea is to just try it out today and see how it works - and if it works great today then next class, once we travel to the library, the books have all gone missing. So we will have to to through all of the books and find out how to get the books back, and who took the books. Wish me luck! I hope it works, and I hope the teacher will attend because it is such a huge help.