Monday

July 6

Today, I was back to work. It’s really hard to believe that there are only three weeks left, esp. considering my partner teacher and I only meet with each class twice a week. We planned together. And, then we had class. This was my first time really as teacher in the classroom getting to do activities with the students. It was fantastic. It was just fun to engage lots of eager minds. I got to be energetic which I feel like isn’t a common trait displayed in the classroom by my teacher. First, we located Uganda and New York on a world map. We did a KWL on New York. Then, students had to choose A or B – the option that would favor the growth of New York as a port. Students were to get in groups to do this. The idea of groups didn’t work so well, it’s just not something they have an established routine of. In addition, to my lack of explanation of group work. Class ended before getting the chance to write the correct options into their notebooks. I had to spend some time writing the options onto the board. When I returned “home” from school. I stopped at the stationary store after a stop a Café Larem to purchase flipchart paper to already have things prewritten out.

Tonight, Phil and some group 3 girls came over and we watched Dodgeball on a computer.

I started reading The Brothers Karamazov on the trip over. It’s been a slow read so far. I contribute that to the constant stream of things going on around me even when I’m trying to read. Quite time doesn’t exist much when living in a community such as this. It just hard for me to focus when other things are going on and keeping up with the language and plot of a Russian story. We’ve gotten to the trend of sharing books, which I love. Last week, I read Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell (Michael’s book). I read it in two days during midterm week when I didn’t have much to do. I also wanted to read though it fast because I knew others also wanted to read it. I picked back up The Brothers Karamazov. Last night, Matt finished The Impenetrable Forest by a former Peace Corp volunteer in Southern Uganda. So far, I’m enjoying it as there are many things I read and can relate to.