I woke up this morning with a nervous and exciting feeling. A feeling that reminded me of the first day of school in a new year. Ashley and I went down for breakfast in the hotel and then waited for the principal of our school to pick us up. We were very unsure of what to expect. When our principal got there she took us to her car and there was a teacher waiting for us. We talked a little on the way there, but mostly took in the views outside. The school is on the outskirts of Pune, so it took us awhile to get there.
As soon as we got there and walked through the gates I had to sign in. Which doesn't seem like a big deal however when you can't read what to write where and they write the date differently then we do, then it is quite the task. Once I finished, we walked down the steps to the outside and there were 3 girls and a teacher waiting for us. The teacher told us they were going to perform the traditional welcome ceremony. Each girl took turns for the different steps. One girl put on our bindi, while another the rice at us, and the third girl sprinkled us with rose water for good luck. The little girl had never used the rose water stick before and it went straight in my face. We both laughed really hard.
After that some of the students showed us their silent room and garden. Once the bell rang all of the students standard 2-7 got in line for the assembly. During the assembly, they sang songs and prayers in 4 different religions. It was beautiful! The music teacher, who is blind, played an amazing instrument in the front of the group and lead the student in each song. Afterwards they introduced us to the group and we told a little about where we are from. They also told us the e students would call us Darcydidi and Ashleydidi which meant we were teachers.
After the assembly was over the students all had breakfast on the floor of their cafeteria. They told us to sit down and eat too. They came around with banana leaf bowl and then handed us vegetable sandwiches. I took a bit out of one and immediately realized it was raw. So I sat the sandwich back down and talked to the girl next to me. She told me her mom was part Irish and I told her that I had been to Ireland before. We continued talking and she told me her parents have friends who live in NC. What a small world. When breakfast was almost over a teacher leaned over and told me that we don't waste food and I needed to eat all of it. So... Ashley and I both ate it. Which resulted in stomachs pain that lasted for a couple of hours, but then I was fine.
After breakfast, Ashley and I participated in the standard 7 class. They were working on a project with the art teacher, history, and reading teacher. They read Around the World in 80 days and were gluing ribbon on a map to show where the main character traveled and how tea traveled. It was really neat to see that the teachers were collaborating and the students were working on a project together just like we do. This is not at all what I expected. I also talked with the teachers about connecting their students to my students. I am hoping it works out!
Pictures below of the primary school.
She was showing us the school's garden.
As soon as we got there and walked through the gates I had to sign in. Which doesn't seem like a big deal however when you can't read what to write where and they write the date differently then we do, then it is quite the task. Once I finished, we walked down the steps to the outside and there were 3 girls and a teacher waiting for us. The teacher told us they were going to perform the traditional welcome ceremony. Each girl took turns for the different steps. One girl put on our bindi, while another the rice at us, and the third girl sprinkled us with rose water for good luck. The little girl had never used the rose water stick before and it went straight in my face. We both laughed really hard.
After that some of the students showed us their silent room and garden. Once the bell rang all of the students standard 2-7 got in line for the assembly. During the assembly, they sang songs and prayers in 4 different religions. It was beautiful! The music teacher, who is blind, played an amazing instrument in the front of the group and lead the student in each song. Afterwards they introduced us to the group and we told a little about where we are from. They also told us the e students would call us Darcydidi and Ashleydidi which meant we were teachers.
After the assembly was over the students all had breakfast on the floor of their cafeteria. They told us to sit down and eat too. They came around with banana leaf bowl and then handed us vegetable sandwiches. I took a bit out of one and immediately realized it was raw. So I sat the sandwich back down and talked to the girl next to me. She told me her mom was part Irish and I told her that I had been to Ireland before. We continued talking and she told me her parents have friends who live in NC. What a small world. When breakfast was almost over a teacher leaned over and told me that we don't waste food and I needed to eat all of it. So... Ashley and I both ate it. Which resulted in stomachs pain that lasted for a couple of hours, but then I was fine.
After breakfast, Ashley and I participated in the standard 7 class. They were working on a project with the art teacher, history, and reading teacher. They read Around the World in 80 days and were gluing ribbon on a map to show where the main character traveled and how tea traveled. It was really neat to see that the teachers were collaborating and the students were working on a project together just like we do. This is not at all what I expected. I also talked with the teachers about connecting their students to my students. I am hoping it works out!
Pictures below of the primary school.
Student showing us the silent room which the students and teachers built.
Pond in the silent room.
Notice the bamboo bridge.
Morning assembly where they sang and prayed in 5 different religions.
Standard 7 working on their map project.
The world!
Standard 7 and an amazing teacher. I kept thinking that she teaches just like me!
I would love to work with her!
Tea from around the world.
Writing new words on the board.
Showing hoe tea was imported.
Morning the path that the main character traveled.
Teamwork!
Tasting tea
Cheers!
I sat at breakfast with the little girl to the left. She was so
sweet and smart!
This is how the students get their lunch.
Smile!
Football!
Flat Stanley is on the bus!
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