TWO DAYS AGO: Wednesday
I taught Geography 7 first period, where we discussed the different types of soil and did a project on the soils that exist on the SB campus. We went outside and collected some sandy, rocky soil from the PT field (mineral soil) and then some darker, more fertile soil from an area with more vegetation (the addition of decaying matter, humus, makes for a more fertile soil). They made posters by gluing the two types of soils on the paper and labeling what was different about them. I administered monthly tests in Civics 9 and Social Studies 5, taught a lesson on rhetorical devices in Grammar/English Literature 8, played some awesome games with the 3rd graders in Drama class, and then continued with the choreography for "I Knew You Were Trouble". From 6:45 to 7:30, I worked with the choir, learning an arrangement of "Man in the Mirror" and singing through True Colors, the song I taught them last year, by their request, which meant the absolute world to me.
There is a group of Italians, some of SB's biggest supporters, visiting to teach dance, music, and do some dental work on the kids and staff. Because I was the primary artist here before they arrived, I've been crazy busy organizing a performance for Sunday, my last day, as a welcome celebration for these visitors. They barely speak English so it's been interesting communicating with them, but they are very excited to be here and have been having nightly music sessions with the instruments and music materials(drums, guitars, mics, etc.) that they bought for the school in Bangalore. It's pretty awesome.
YESTERDAY: Thursday
I graded and administered many monthly tests yesterday and began signing autograph books for the students. Each SB kid has their own little notebook for volunteers to sign, and I have acquired quite a few stacks. I like to put a lot of time into each one, so my last days at SB are always a combination of a hectic scramble to finish autograph books, leaving plans for the next teacher/finishing up grading, and spending as much time as possible with the kids.
The most special part about yesterday was Dr. George's weekly Thursday night talk, in which he discussed Perspective: the amazing and vast Universe in relation to our tiny problems. This might be one of the things, other than the kids themselves, that I'll miss the most. DG's daily sharing of wisdom is so refreshing, and his Thursday night lectures are like a shower of mind blowing and thought provoking ideas and questions.
Four new volunteers arrived last night, a brother and sister from Germany, Lea and Luke (yes, like Star Wars), a student from Northwestern named Natasha, and a recent college graduate from Texas named Abiram. They're all lovely and it's a shame I won't get to know them very well. But it also makes me feel better to know that I'm leaving all of these kids in the hands of incredible human beings.
TODAY: Friday
This morning began with a breakfast of dosas, which is always an indication of the start of a fantastic day.
I gave two more monthly tests today, adding to the stacks of things that I need to grade before I leave, as well as several lessons/review for any last monthly tests that will be administered early next week. I got to take some pictures with my classes which I am beyond thrilled to have:
I had to give my goodbye speech since it was my last weekday assembly and somehow I managed to avoid crying, even when the little ones brought up the beautiful card that Shrimathi made me. It made it a little bit easier to be leaving with one other volunteer, Emily. Here are some pictures from the short goodbye ceremony:
We had a lovely choir
practice where we cleaned up "Man in The Mirror" so that we can
perform it on Sunday. I absolutely love the time I spend with that group of
students. They're so passionate and excited about music, and I feel so
fortunate, and just completely inspired, getting to spend so much time with
them.
I sponsored a special dessert for the whole school tonight (mango, butterscotch, and chocolate ice cream), and I couldn't have been happier with the way they reacted. It was totally unexpected, because they rarely get a special sponsored treat after dinner, but we lost power all day yesterday, so when the ice cream arrived, they had to serve it, as there was no way to keep it cold for the following day.
The 1st graders asked me to sing them a lullaby after story time tonight, so I went around to each child's bed and tucked them in while singing "Tender Sheppard," the song I sing to most of the kids I babysit back home. I don't think I've ever experienced anything more magical. Each child's tiny twinkly eyes looking up at me and then several of them hugging me tight and saying, "Miss, I don't want you to leave on Sunday!" It was hard, but I still have two days left and I intend on making the absolute most of them. For example, tonight, I'm going to look at the stars on the rocks with some other volunteers to celebrate Emily's departure. We're planning on staying up until her car comes at around 2:00 AM so that she doesn't have a lonely last few hours at SB.
One last thing... a compilation of the pictures I've taken of all the critters I've run into at SB. I made it my personal goal to get as many interesting/terrifying pictures of animals and insects as possible. Every time I see one, I stop to take a picture, no matter how scared I am. The spider was chillin' right outside my bedroom door last night. So many fun friends.
I taught Geography 7 first period, where we discussed the different types of soil and did a project on the soils that exist on the SB campus. We went outside and collected some sandy, rocky soil from the PT field (mineral soil) and then some darker, more fertile soil from an area with more vegetation (the addition of decaying matter, humus, makes for a more fertile soil). They made posters by gluing the two types of soils on the paper and labeling what was different about them. I administered monthly tests in Civics 9 and Social Studies 5, taught a lesson on rhetorical devices in Grammar/English Literature 8, played some awesome games with the 3rd graders in Drama class, and then continued with the choreography for "I Knew You Were Trouble". From 6:45 to 7:30, I worked with the choir, learning an arrangement of "Man in the Mirror" and singing through True Colors, the song I taught them last year, by their request, which meant the absolute world to me.
There is a group of Italians, some of SB's biggest supporters, visiting to teach dance, music, and do some dental work on the kids and staff. Because I was the primary artist here before they arrived, I've been crazy busy organizing a performance for Sunday, my last day, as a welcome celebration for these visitors. They barely speak English so it's been interesting communicating with them, but they are very excited to be here and have been having nightly music sessions with the instruments and music materials(drums, guitars, mics, etc.) that they bought for the school in Bangalore. It's pretty awesome.
YESTERDAY: Thursday
I graded and administered many monthly tests yesterday and began signing autograph books for the students. Each SB kid has their own little notebook for volunteers to sign, and I have acquired quite a few stacks. I like to put a lot of time into each one, so my last days at SB are always a combination of a hectic scramble to finish autograph books, leaving plans for the next teacher/finishing up grading, and spending as much time as possible with the kids.
The most special part about yesterday was Dr. George's weekly Thursday night talk, in which he discussed Perspective: the amazing and vast Universe in relation to our tiny problems. This might be one of the things, other than the kids themselves, that I'll miss the most. DG's daily sharing of wisdom is so refreshing, and his Thursday night lectures are like a shower of mind blowing and thought provoking ideas and questions.
Four new volunteers arrived last night, a brother and sister from Germany, Lea and Luke (yes, like Star Wars), a student from Northwestern named Natasha, and a recent college graduate from Texas named Abiram. They're all lovely and it's a shame I won't get to know them very well. But it also makes me feel better to know that I'm leaving all of these kids in the hands of incredible human beings.
TODAY: Friday
This morning began with a breakfast of dosas, which is always an indication of the start of a fantastic day.
I gave two more monthly tests today, adding to the stacks of things that I need to grade before I leave, as well as several lessons/review for any last monthly tests that will be administered early next week. I got to take some pictures with my classes which I am beyond thrilled to have:
I had to give my goodbye speech since it was my last weekday assembly and somehow I managed to avoid crying, even when the little ones brought up the beautiful card that Shrimathi made me. It made it a little bit easier to be leaving with one other volunteer, Emily. Here are some pictures from the short goodbye ceremony:
I sponsored a special dessert for the whole school tonight (mango, butterscotch, and chocolate ice cream), and I couldn't have been happier with the way they reacted. It was totally unexpected, because they rarely get a special sponsored treat after dinner, but we lost power all day yesterday, so when the ice cream arrived, they had to serve it, as there was no way to keep it cold for the following day.
The 1st graders asked me to sing them a lullaby after story time tonight, so I went around to each child's bed and tucked them in while singing "Tender Sheppard," the song I sing to most of the kids I babysit back home. I don't think I've ever experienced anything more magical. Each child's tiny twinkly eyes looking up at me and then several of them hugging me tight and saying, "Miss, I don't want you to leave on Sunday!" It was hard, but I still have two days left and I intend on making the absolute most of them. For example, tonight, I'm going to look at the stars on the rocks with some other volunteers to celebrate Emily's departure. We're planning on staying up until her car comes at around 2:00 AM so that she doesn't have a lonely last few hours at SB.
One last thing... a compilation of the pictures I've taken of all the critters I've run into at SB. I made it my personal goal to get as many interesting/terrifying pictures of animals and insects as possible. Every time I see one, I stop to take a picture, no matter how scared I am. The spider was chillin' right outside my bedroom door last night. So many fun friends.
(The
infamous flying beetle)
(Pretty Tiger Moth)
(This guy was maybe the size
of my pinky nail)
(I would venture to say this was around
3.5-4 inches long. I
almost stepped on him!)
(And THIS guy was HUGE!!)
(Seeing this guy's eyes and little leg hairs
is probably the worst part about the picture.
Also... I was recently informed
that it was a tarantula.)
(You can't really see this but a little baby frog
is catching a ride on the back of a bigger frog)
