Tuesday,
November 6th:
Last
night’s study on mercy was really encouraging. I woke up feeling more refreshed
than I have all week. God continued to shower me with blessings throughout the
day: loving students, beautiful weather, and time outside the house. After
school, the girls on our team headed to the market. We had a fun time digging through
piles, not looking for anything in particular. Mary and Sarah headed home a
little after 4pm while Lisa and I kept shopping. Andy came by with the kids and
picked us up about an hour later. No sooner had I jumped in the car than Zander
asked, “Helen, what are you doing? Are you coming to dinner?” Lisa made the
invitation official and added that she already had a Mexican casserole made up.
If Zander’s cute smile hadn’t been enough, then the mention of Mexican
certainly helped me make up my mind. We ate a fabulous meal together, then
visited over dish washing. Lisa whipped up a cherry, poppy seed bread roll for dessert. Yummy! I headed for home a little before 8, then
finished my schoolwork for the day.
Wednesday,
November 7th:
After the
break, my students in 5B completely changed their seating arrangement. I was
hoping another teacher would fix it, but after asking around, it appeared the
task would fall to me. This morning was the perfect opportunity.
Providentially, seven of my better students were the only ones in class when I
arrived. I quickly dispersed them so they would be staggered between the desks.
After writing up the names of the more difficult students, I told the
"magnificent seven" to choose one as their partner. The desks have
two seats side-by-side. As the other students filed in, I directed them to
their new seating assignment, next to their partner. After everyone was seated,
I explained that each student was responsible for the student sitting next to
them. In order to understand that their actions affect others, I would be
disciplining and rewarding pairs of students for their behavior. If the student
next to them broke a rule, then both students’ names would go on their board. If
one student earned a reward for good behavior, then both students would receive
it. It took a few examples for them to catch on, but once they did, I had the
quietest classroom yet. The silence was so complete that one student whispered,
“Miss, they are being so good!” I was relieved, but also prayerful that the
lesson I’m trying to teach through this exercise will be received well and not
cause bitterness between the students.
As I
walked into 5A, they begged me to let them study for Komality (part of their
Kurdish studies). I agreed, but told them they needed to do two things for me.
The first was to listen while I gave a brief explanation of the lesson
(thankfully it was a repeat from last year.) Second, they had to tell me what
important event would occur one month from today’s date. One of my students
remembered right away, “Miss, it’s your birthday!”
In 6B we
were able to review a lesson that I’d already gone over with 6A. The lesson had
happened rather spontaneously and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to “re-create” it
for 6B. Interestingly, a student asked to review the topic today and I was able
to expound on the lesson. The class has been studying factors and multiples.
Some of the students keep getting the two terms confused, so I defined the
words using practical examples (versus numbers). Early on, we discussed the
“factors” of being late to school – waking up late, traffic, the bus is late,
etc. I continued the analogy and explained that multiples are the consequences
that proceed from being late to school. When we look at multiples of numbers,
we realize that they go on to infinity. I explained that there are an infinite
number of consequences to our actions as well. Being late to school might
affect our grades, our behavior for that day, our friendships, etc. Last year
the students read a book called, “Adam and His Kin” with Miss Julie. She
mentioned some of the things they had discussed, so I’ve tried to point back to
the material to relate math with something the students already know. Today I
used the Fall as our “number.” What were the reasons for, or “factors” leading
up to, the Fall? As with numbers, the list of factors is defined or finite. But
what were the consequences of the Fall? As the list grew and grew, the students
started to say, “Miss, there are an infinite number of consequences!” The last
consequence we mentioned was the punishment we face after death, which in
itself is infinite. It is fun to watch the kids get excited when we “talk”
about math instead of “read” about math.
By the
time the lesson came around for 6B, the sun was shining, and it was turning out
to be a cheerful afternoon. I decided to cut the lesson down to seven problems in
honor of it being November 7th. The kids were pretty talkative by
the end of our session, but I still enjoyed being with them. It has been easier
to develop relationships with 6B, and for that I am very thankful.
During
one of the breaks, I was surrounded by a group of 2nd grade girls.
They come up to me frequently, begging for hugs and coaxing me to bend down and
let them kiss me on the cheek. I love it! It is like having my little siblings and
the kids at church around me again. I asked them about their classes and their
marks (grades). As I turned to leave, they told me, “Miss, you are so pretty.
You look like Cinderella.” I had to smile … I don’t think I’ve ever been called
Cinderella before!
Walked
home after class, enjoying the sunshine. Mary invited me over for a cup of tea
and some delicious Cream Puff Cake! A great afternoon treat! Finished a lot of
schoolwork before we had to prep our side (ginger carrots) for tonight’s team
meal. Around 5:20p, the Mareen crew headed for Andy and Lisa’s. We picked up
some things on the way. I even found a desk lamp at the second hand store!
Lisa made
a great meal - chicken, rice, and veggie casserole. For dessert we had baklava
(which is the current form of payment that Andy is receiving for giving
physical therapy treatments.)
At 8pm,
we had our Skype call. The headmaster of the three CSM schools is in America
right now, visiting with Dave and Lisa. He and his wife were on the call with
us. It was funny to think about the reversal of our situations - that they have
been in the throes of the recent US election while we have simply been watching
from afar.
Andy
drove us home a little after 9pm. I finished writing the tests for Sunday so I
can get them copied off tomorrow, then headed off to bed. Couldn’t fall asleep
for awhile, since a pesky mosquito needed to be eliminated first. Fact: Mosquito is in my room. Factor: Door was left open a little too long. Multiples: Late to bed, can't sleep, Helen stays up thinking too long...
