I'm sorry but I was so busy that I didn't take any photos at the workshop!
About a week and a half after being in Lusaka, and having my eyes much better! (See last post if you missed it). Kajungu, a fellow MCCer here in Choma, introduced me to a new person, Mr. Hademu, who is involved (the director?) with the Brethren In Christ Church (BICC) Child Development (and Welfare?) Center. Or BICCCDC for short! Ha! We all met up at the local coffee shop, Wonderbake, in town. After introduction I was asked if I would be interested in helping put on a 5 day preschool teacher workshop, next week. (Did I mention it was Thursday already?)
So - some background: the government has just mandated that all the schools need to now have a preschool (which is a preschool/ kindergarten - for ages 3-5). So, most of them have hired a teacher (who doesn't need to have a teaching degree) and created a space. So the BICCCDC was trying to help children by putting on this preschool teachers workshop.
I must admit - I laughed at having a 5 day workshop ready by next week! I did say that I had enough materials I could do 1 day - on the Friday! So, I madly began to prepare for the upcoming workshop.
What was the most important aspect of teaching preschool / kindergarten? What did I want to teach these new and eager preschool teachers? I was really excited for this workshop. Kindergarten is my thing! By Friday I probably could have taken 5 days to teach what I crammed into one!
When I arrived at the workshop location I was a bit surprised to see that the workshop was already started. Then I was shown the agenda and realized that they were on day THREE! Wow. Surprise! Oh well - you just go with it. I'm glad they took initiative and was happy to see teachers at the host school (one of my BIC schools) were some of the facilitators! I was really happy they were discussing corporal punishment and positive discipline when I walked it! I "scratched" that section of my agenda off in my head! And classroom management. I touched briefly on each but we didn't have to go in depth as they had already covered these areas (as I saw from their agenda and the chart papers covering the walls).
I started my program off by asking the teachers, "what does a 4 year old need to know?" I was pleased to see that each group included some non-academic skills such as character building, toilet and hygiene skills, etc. Then I shared this article: What does a 4 year need to know? An article that I give my friends who ask me (as I'm a kindergarten teacher) what their child needs to know when they start school. (http://www.magicalchildhood.com/articles/4yo.htm) And we discussed the differences between the groups (such as one group mentioned pre-reading and another group mentioned the students should be reading). We agreed that each child develops at his/her own rate and we just need to nurture each student and provide a positive and safe learning environment. We want them to enjoy school. I then launched into a brand new concept around here and one I'm passionate about:
Play-Based Learning
When this opportunity to come to Zambia came up I was seriously considering doing further schooling on play-based learning. (And I still might when we get back?!)
Now - how do you do play based learning when there's no money for toys, art supplies, etc. That was my challenge when I prepared the workshop.
The BICCCDC paid K50 (under $10) for each school to get some basic supplies, bought or made by me. These included: play dough, a box of cornstarch (called corn flour here), a bottle of food colouring, a newspaper, a small bag of salt and one of flour, a laminated paper with play money, plus I collected recycling items from our home and asked my friends for theirs).
I showed the teachers how to make your own white glue, finger paint, cornstarch tactile experience, and paper mache. (Here's the handout below incase you are curious!) I had made white glue before in Mozambique when I worked at the preschool there. And cornstarch and water is something my kids have grown up playing in and my Kindergarten classes. Paper Mache has also been a stable around our house and in my classroom. The rest I found online after sorting through tons of options!
I tested the DIY art that I found online on preschoolers….. with great results! :)
 |
| Kate testing out the finger paints |
 |
| Malachi testing out the finger paints |
 |
| Purple - top left: finger paint, white - bottom left: homemade glue On baking tray: homemade salt glitter Far right: a picture Kate created with paint, glue and salt glitter |
__________________________________________________________
Do It yourself art supplies
Homemade Glue
Mix equal parts of water and flour. Add more water until you get the consistency you want. Glue away!
Homemade Finger Paints
Mix equal parts flour and water - depending on how much paint you want.
Add salt (the more salt the puffier the paint)
Add food colouring
Paint
Homemade Salt Glitter
(from website: learn, create, love)
Determine how much glitter you want and use that much salt.
Add food colouring to your salt. Mix until you get the desired colour.
IF you can: bake (in oven) or dry it out (in the sun) in a thin layer - just to dry out the food colouring.
IF you cannot dry it out: use carefully (could stain)
Homemade Sensory Play
Mix cornflour (Maizena) and water until desired consistency.
Is it a liquid or a solid?!
Paper Mache Crafts
Tear newspaper (or any paper) into strips. Mix paste of flour and glue. Dip each strip of paper into the mixture. Gently pull the strip between your fingers to remove the extra paste. Cover your project with paper mache. Paint.
Project ideas: Use cardboard to make a frame, use a glass jar and make a vase, use a piece of cardboard, fold into a bracelet, cover a bowl with a plastic and then paper mache to make a bowl (for dry items),
Paper Pulp Crafts
Tear newspaper (or any paper) into strips. Soak paper in warm water for at least five minutes. Drain water. Shred paper into tiny pieces with fork. When it has turned into a gooey mess, strain it with a sieve to get off as much of the water as possible. Mix glue (flour and water make glue) and add a little at a time until pulp looks like mashed potatoes. If it is too sticky add a bit of water. Use to form paper (make “new” recycled paper), or shapes, designs, anything! Takes several days to dry before you can paint it.
______________________________________________________________
The preschool teachers had no idea that you can make these craft supplies and not purchase them from a store. I kept asking them if they wanted to see how to make the next item and they continued to be eager… so I hope they can do some with their students.
We also talked about sand and water play (lots and lots of sand around here!) and getting the students out of the classroom for nature play and exploring. How to use the recycling items I dumped in the middle of the floor to use as building blocks or to play store with.
And of course, the teacher's role in play based learning! Joining in the play and adding new vocabulary, Issuing challenges - which of these containers: tall and skinny, or short and fat - will hold more water. And so much more.
Overall it went really well. At the end, another surprise to me, was the appearance of the DEBS (the district education board secretary). A very well respected lady who would be similar to our superintendent of a school district. Everyone stood up when she entered with her entourage and the air of respect in that classroom was heavy. I cringed (slightly) at the pile of garbage I had left in the middle of the floor! If I had only known! I would have build a really nice castle or tower at least! LOL. But she gave a really nice speech (that included reinforcing the whole "let the kids play" idea - the head teacher (principal) of the school must have filler her in a bit). I had met her once - way back in September. When we were all leaving back to Choma she got my phone number. So we'll see what happens with that!
It was pointed out at the end that out of 20 preschool teachers, only 4 were female. A bit surprising. (And concerning?) After thinking about this more I realized that most of the preschool teachers had at least a Grade 12 education - which would limit the number of girls applying as more boys finish secondary school. I'm also guessing the girls in these rural communities that did complete secondary school went on to further studies and probably got a job in a more urban area. All this is speculation by me. I was happy that a couple of the female teachers were wanting my "trash" at the end and it did all disappear.
I don't know if the teachers will use the preschool supplies I gave them for these art projects or if they will just make scones and use the salt in their usual cooking. I pray the students, and the teachers, get the chance to play.
It sure was fun seeing them try out the cornstarch and water! I secretly wanted to get the DEBS to put her hand in it before she left... but I wasn't brave enough! Next time!
Sounds like we'll be doing another one in town sometime. I'll try to take more photos if it happens!
No comments:
Post a Comment