The First Week of School

The first day of school is meant for the children to clean the classrooms. So that’s all they did the first day. My Peace Corps project is working with Years 2-6, in literacy. I will be co-teaching in all these classes, and working with Years 4-6 in small pullout groups. The first few weeks of school are meant for observations, so I can get a grasp where the children’s English is at.

On the third day of school, I was getting ready to start my observations, when I was asked if I could substitute teach Year 5 for the day because the teacher was absent. I agreed, but made it clear that I’m only trained with English and reading, so that’s what the children were going to do. They played spelling games, I read to them, they read to themselves, and then, they sang and danced for me. It was wonderful. I wish I had my camera handy.

Midweek, a student in Year 7 gave me a beautiful assortment of flowers. She said that her mother put it together for me. It was a nice surprise. I love flowers! They’re so beautiful, and smell heavenly.

Interesting fact: The rain causes the school day to be delayed, as well as an early dismissal. Samoa is currently in the “wet season” so this first school term will be interesting.