On Fridays, we try to do a review of the week to reinforce the lessons, particularly for the younger students. Given that our numbers are swelling, and I am on my Pestalozzian kick still (google him), I decided to take them outside for some "elaborative rehearsal" rather than keeping them in the classroom parroting me. We went out with the children and adults and practiced introductions in lines and in circles, as I had the night before with the students in Zongo. They had fun, and I seized the moment. We then learned circle tag, ala Michael. When no one else knows the rules, and there are no personal injury layers about, well you can guess what happens. We did it traditionally, then we did it backwards, hopping on one foot, weaving in and out, and blindly. The whole quad was full of squeals and laughter. I was pleasantly surprised (I don't know why) that the adults followed suite immediately. I thought I had reached the apex of the program, until my inner child appeared and took me back to fourth grade. With some degree of speculation, I taught them Red Rover. I have never seen a group of people have so much fun in my life (no hyperbole here)! They went at it for an hour and a half, and I had to finally stop them to finish the lesson. There were a few bells rung, some scratches and scrapes, skinned knees, muddied bottoms, and one busted watch. It was fabulous.
Up from a handful, we had nearly forty by the time we got outside. Our numbers are expected to exceed the century mark next week!
Outside practicing introductions
"I think I will observe these shenanigans for awhile before I give it a go"
The older students getting into the fun
Surveying the landscape before I turn it loose
Practicing what I preach - I didn't catch him :(
They caught on quickly
Senior Games
Benjamin turned out to be a feisty competitor! Here she (on the left) busts through the enemy lines to capture a soldier
Not so successful here - I am glad she kept her head on her shoulders!
A few stood against many
A local banana lady drifted through and I bought her out. We brought the kids in and did a short review. I asked Saint Fort to have them come up one by one and I would give them each a banana. I didn't hear the instructions he gave them, but they did indeed come up, each smiling saying "Thank you, Dean Morsches"
After the kids left, the adults came in, a bit tuckered out, and continued their assignment "My life in Bangui before the war." They will add a section on their life now and then their goals for the future. We will publish them here on my blog and on their Facebook page.
Always working, Teddy, Juliette, and Saint Fort are formulating a sustainability proposal for the camp committee Monday. I only have a month left - yikes
"Where's my banana?"
Buoyed by the enthusiasm generated today, and by the fact no one ended up in the newly opened hospital, I have come to the only logical conclusion - next week, Buck Buck!
(re last photo): when my Ginny was in South Africa, she learned this baby-carry method and has employed it on the grandkids! :?)
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