Teacher Training

Zoe would like to announce that she is back to blogging and feeling 95% better.

We went to Camp Chiwara today and spent the morning working with the 24 student teachers. Our teacher training session went very well, especially considering that the program has been having a hard time with these women, who often flirt with the male teachers during class. We taught them a special session on project-based learning, with a focus on different modalities of learning. They were really responsive and even did some thoughtful reflecting at the end. They also did some great skits, drawings, songs, and dances to show different ways of learning. Tomorrow, we hope to talk about group work and student support.

The Sikasso women doing a skit in our open air classroom

For the afternoon sessions, Zoe went to sports and played pickle and football. Sara went to art to make paper flowers for our hippo ballet set, and then taught puzzles like Black Magic (and my French is slowly getting better).

Paper Flower Bonanza

After camp, we went to the tailor to get clothes made. For about $2, you can get an outfit made here, and $6 at the market buys enough material for 3 skirts. So, we are custom designing multiple outfits, but the tailor doesn't speak much French. He called in a random guy off the street to translate, who brought in his adorable twins: Christophe and Christine. They all stayed for a good half hour while we attempted to describe and design our clothes. They'll be ready for pick up next Monday.

We continue to be surprised by random events, such as children plucking feathers from a pigeon (which apparently they eat here). Also there was a cow outside the door to school today. We've also had a string of rain and thunder storms, which has cooled things off quite a bit. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Other Photos:

Francois and adorable baby

Mom of adorable baby

More paper flowers