School

September 9, 2010                                              

Hello everyone,

Many of you have asked about school and what it's like.  Here is a picture of a first grade classroom.  The teacher is having a child put his head in a "I am thinking..." bubble to explain his reaction to a book.  I work in all three of the first grade rooms.  You will be amazed that there are only 12-15 students in each room with a full-time assistant.  I float from room to room providing learning support.  The school is wonderful!  It's the bright spot of living here, without a doubt.

The classrooms are much like that back home with a few exceptions.  Our school is a PYP school, so our learning is inquiry-based.  We don't use textbooks in the primary setting, but use lots and lots of literature.  The woman whose picture is shown has just published a book about teaching literacy.  It's entitled A Castle in the Classroom and is going to be available through Amazon Books.  We use continuums and report cards to report to parents.  The school gives MAP tests, beginning in second grade.

One of the really amazing things at our school is the recycling.  There is no Styrofoam.  Kids take their trays and real silverware and sort out their leftovers into various containers, including "compost."  The compost is collected and stored for use on school gardens.  Students are taught early on about the importance of not wasting anything.  If we print at all, we use paper that has been already used on one side.  Teachers can get journals of all sizes for students to write in, either with lines or blank.  Every class gives homework.

Even though we do have drinking fountains in the school, fresh water is brought into each classroom in large coolers.  We use glasses that are collected each day and washed.  Students all bring water bottles from home, too.

All students, even high school kids, have a snack break.  Elementary students have a morning recess and a noon recess as well.  Students have access to a large sand area, water table, soccer field, basketball, swings, slides,tether ball, etc.

A highlight for kids is the student-led assembly every other week.  Students play music on drums or some other instrument accompanied by a pianist as the student body files in.  We start with the school song.  Everyone with a birthday during a specific amount of time comes forward and are treated to a rousing "happy birthday" song.  They file off the stage, receiving a pencil or something.  The principal announces which class is awarded the school mascot (a large stuffed tiger called Tigger), and the class in charge shows something that they have learned.  We leave after singing a final song.  If someone is leaving, another song is song and his/her teacher says a farewell.  Parents are invited.

I hope I have given a little snapshot of school.  It is a very great place.  I wish you all could visit.

Eid starts in two days.  Everyone is greeting each other with "Eid Mubarak."  If we as foreigners initiate the greeting, it brings smiles on the Muslim faces.

I have a four day holiday right now.  I am staying here in Dhaka, just relaxing.

Have a wonderful autumn.  One of the things I really, really miss is the change of seasons in Minnesota.

Much love,
Karen