The Wednesday before Easter Betsy and I headed to Accra for the long weekend. We stayed at our friends house...it was so nice not have to pay for a room. While there I had a blast. I had not been in the big city since V-day. Wednesday night we went to a place called Duplex where I had great pineapple juice and groundnuts. Thursday we ran tons of errands around town- the highlight was going to Max Mart to buy soft shell tortillas. Later we ate at beach bar and grill called Tawala. It was literally on the beach. As you sit at your table there is sand making its way between your toes. Their vegetable fried rice was fantastic. After Tawala- Lori, a girl from North Carolina, and a few other friends went to the US Embassy for a "Dress You Decade" themed party. It was fun to see what the US military in Ghana do for fun. The Embassy was really nice too. After this short outing we head to yet another destination- Bywells. It was an outdoor bar with a dance floor. I boogied down hard until a woman in high heels stepped down on my bare foot (I only wait sandals here). It was great night. Friday was Good Friday so most things were closed. Vossie, Betsy, Bruce & Rianna (a nice South African couple that the moved here for work), and Awa (Lori's child) spent the day hanging out at the mall. We even when to a MOVIE!!! I forgot how much I love going to movies in the theater. We saw Marley and Me and we all cried our eyes out- all except Awa (she has never had a dog). Later we went back to Duplex where I had a great veggie pizza and did KARAOKE! Could this weekend get any better? Well yes it can when you spend Saturday and Sunday watching TV(tons of rugby which I love), going out to a great hotel for pizza and swimming, ordering pizza delivery, sitting in the A/C and taking hot showers. We left Tuesday to go back to Agogo. I for once missed Accra.
The following weekend was Jessie's last in Ghana. Jessie and I did tons of great stuff on Saturday. We went shopping at the crazy and frustrating Cultural Centre, saw handmade crazy shaped coffins (a lion, tanker truck, camera, a crab, a chicken, a bible, and a Star Beer bottle), and visited Global Mama's for last minute gifts. Sunday we hit our friend's pool and Jessie got more tan to show off to her friend back home. The weekend was fun, but I already hate that she is gone- damn you Jessie!
Currently I am back in Agogo just reading and making TLMs.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
My Trip to the BA- April 3-5
Many of my IFESH peers live in a region northwest of me called the Brong-Ahafo region (or the BA). On Friday, April 3rd I traveled to Bechem where my friends Karen and Jessie work at St. Joseph's Training College. The campus is much larger than ours, but there town was a bit smaller. It was fun to see their Teacher Resource Center and compare it to ours. The room is the same size, but they have a woman that runs the center so that students can come and go as they please. They also have a working copier, two working computers, two working printers, and a working laminator. The walls were filled with tons of TLMs . I was also jealous because of there wireless Internet! It was amazing. After visiting the school Jessie and I had dinner at the Orange Hotel with was on the outskirts of the town. I ate a plate of plain rice with a side of a pepper sauce. It was nice and the restaurant was interesting because it was an old hotel room that had been transformed into a small dining room. After dinner we went back to their bungalow for a good night's sleep before our big day.
The next day we took a taxi to Sunyani which is the capital city of the BA region. It is a nice sized town with a large, fancy hotel with a pool, gym, and restaurant with pizza. We meet up with Pamela, an IFESH volunteer that lives and teaches in Sunyani. She hired a mini bus for the day to take 12 of us to Kintampo Falls and the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary
Kintampo Falls. On the way to the Kintampo Falls I made a new friend Samatta. She knew Karen and works in Sunyani. We sang camps songs and played games for the 2 hours that it took to arrive at Kintampo. We walked down over a hundred stairs to the the base of this powerful waterfall. It was fun to walk long the base and get pelted by the water.
We had lunch at a nearby Catholic Church that Father Vincent, Pamela's coworker, new of. I ate a mango, but learned that cutting it is much better then just biting it. Thank goodness Karen had floss. We also took a moment to take pictures at the Center of Ghana.
After the waterfall we went to the monkey sanctuary. It took us a few hours to get to there due to bumpy roads and bad signs. But once we made it we were able to be less than two feet from tons of monkeys. They are sacred monkeys that are even given proper burials. They live freely int he forest around this small town. Folklore says that during a time of war the people of this town transformed into monkeys as a form of protection and then many didn't change back to their human forms. So the monkeys are treated well. We also say many beautiful trees. One was hollow. It was my highlight of the day- I wish I had the pictures it was outstanding.
After the long day, we traveled from 8am-7pm, Martha, another IFESH volunteer, and I had great fun in Sunyani and then traveled to her home in Berekum. When we arrived to Berekum
her roommate/IFESH volunteer, Amyianna, was cooking salmon croquettes. There kitchen is twice the size of ours and has the largest variety of spices I have seen in a long time. We visited until midnight and then I passed out.
The next day I visited their TRC which was amazing. They have alot of space to work with and computers, a copier, laminator, and tons of TLMs. They even made TLM of a computer monitor, printer, mouse, and keyboard. It was also so much fun to see and talk to Martha and Amyianna. I left Sunday around noon and got back to Agogo aorund 7pm. It was a nice trip.
The next day we took a taxi to Sunyani which is the capital city of the BA region. It is a nice sized town with a large, fancy hotel with a pool, gym, and restaurant with pizza. We meet up with Pamela, an IFESH volunteer that lives and teaches in Sunyani. She hired a mini bus for the day to take 12 of us to Kintampo Falls and the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary
Kintampo Falls. On the way to the Kintampo Falls I made a new friend Samatta. She knew Karen and works in Sunyani. We sang camps songs and played games for the 2 hours that it took to arrive at Kintampo. We walked down over a hundred stairs to the the base of this powerful waterfall. It was fun to walk long the base and get pelted by the water.
We had lunch at a nearby Catholic Church that Father Vincent, Pamela's coworker, new of. I ate a mango, but learned that cutting it is much better then just biting it. Thank goodness Karen had floss. We also took a moment to take pictures at the Center of Ghana.
After the waterfall we went to the monkey sanctuary. It took us a few hours to get to there due to bumpy roads and bad signs. But once we made it we were able to be less than two feet from tons of monkeys. They are sacred monkeys that are even given proper burials. They live freely int he forest around this small town. Folklore says that during a time of war the people of this town transformed into monkeys as a form of protection and then many didn't change back to their human forms. So the monkeys are treated well. We also say many beautiful trees. One was hollow. It was my highlight of the day- I wish I had the pictures it was outstanding.
After the long day, we traveled from 8am-7pm, Martha, another IFESH volunteer, and I had great fun in Sunyani and then traveled to her home in Berekum. When we arrived to Berekum
her roommate/IFESH volunteer, Amyianna, was cooking salmon croquettes. There kitchen is twice the size of ours and has the largest variety of spices I have seen in a long time. We visited until midnight and then I passed out.
The next day I visited their TRC which was amazing. They have alot of space to work with and computers, a copier, laminator, and tons of TLMs. They even made TLM of a computer monitor, printer, mouse, and keyboard. It was also so much fun to see and talk to Martha and Amyianna. I left Sunday around noon and got back to Agogo aorund 7pm. It was a nice trip.
Bad News
There won't be many or anymore pictures from my trips in Ghana. My computer is no longer with me so I can't download my pictures from my camera and many of my old pictures have been lost. This is very sad, because I went on a fantastic trip to waterfalls and to see monkeys- but these pictures are gone. I am going to try and get some pictures from friends, but for now words will have to do.
sorry
sorry
Monday, April 6, 2009
TLM Contest at A.P.C.E. with prizes from the Schoolbox
The first update I have for my readers is that the school I work at has changed its name. It was called APTC – Agogo Presbyterian Training College, but now it is Agogo Presbyterian College of Education. So if you read my blogs now APTC is the same as APCE.
Now own to the contest. Months ago Betsy and I met with educators from KNUST in Kumasi and began a partnership based on the creation of TLMs (teacher learning materials). During out meeting we decided that students from KNUST should visit our TRC to get ideas for their own TLMs. They did visit our campus early last month. Next, Betsy and I brainstormed things that our students could do to share with the KNUST students. I came up with an idea of a TLM contest.
I asked a few of our APCE students if they would be interested in entering a contest where they would create a TLM and win great teacher prizes from the Schoolbox. The few girls I surveyed said that this sounded like a great idea- so I got to work. I created a flyer that listed the rules for the contest:
• Participates are able to enter just one TLM
• Your TLM must fit in one of the following categories:
-Mathematics
-Science
-Social Studies/ History
-Health/Physical Education
-Language/Literature/Reading
• TLMs must be created primarily from found objects (example: bottles, boxes, tubes, etc)- at least making up of 30% of the TLM
• No posters will be accepted
• TLM must also have attached a handwritten or typed sheet (no longer than one page) explaining the TLM use to teach a part of the Ghanaian curriculum
• Finished TLMs are due to the TLM teachers by 4:00pm Monday March 23
And I created a rubric that explained to the contestants that they could be graded on neatness, their explanation, creativity, grammar, usability, and learning styles addressed.
We decided to have the TLM contest coincide with the students S.R.C. week- which is a week that the students get to celebrate being students! They had a beauty pageant, dance party, clean up day, and sport activities. On Saturday, March 28 they would have a program where guests were invited from all around the community and beyond. This sounded like the best time to have our students’ finished projects out for viewing.
APCE first and second year students were invited to enter the contest. Students had three weeks to work on their TLMs. They could work on the TLMs during class time or during open hours. We hosted additional Teacher Resource Center (TRC) open hours times on Sundays after church and on Friday afternoons as well as extended hours on our regular days (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays). The pupils that entered the contest worked countless hours on the TLMs that they submitted on Monday, March 23. It was nice to be able to give them help them get ideas to create TLMs that were much more interactive then posters.
On Wednesday, March 24, we began the first round of judging. This round was strictly for the “Kids Choice Award”. We had six children from the neighborhood come to give their expert input. This judges’ ages ranged from seven to eleven years. Each child took their duty very seriously and each had their favorite. In the end one vote put the winner over the others.
The second round of judging took place on Thursday, March 25. Earlier in the week I went around to multiple teachers and administrators in the community to deliver an invitation to the TRC to be the official contest judges. The judges, one head master of nearby school, one secretary of a primary school, and four teachers from lower and upper primary schools, received refreshments as they judges the projects with the rubrics provided. Each judge took their duty seriously and gave fantastic feedback for the contestants.
On Friday, March 26, Betsy and I had the contestants meet us in the Teacher Resource Center to find out the winners. Betsy took hours creating homemade 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons for the top winner.
Most of the prizes awarded (stickers, pencils, crayons, markers, pens, rulers, notepads, teacher tote bag, and a teacher resource book on creating crafts from found objects) were donations from a teacher supply store in Atlanta, Georgia called the Schoolbox. To find out more about the Schoolbox click here.
The first prize we awarded was the contestant that used the largest percentage of found objects.
Tina from class 2c had used cardboard, bottle tops, and water bags to create her Odds and Even number display with attached activities for the teacher.
Next we awarded Bernice the Kids Choice Award winner. Her 3-D intensive and extensive poultry farm was excited to the kid judges.
Finally we award the two honorable mentions. The first awarded was Cynthia from class 2d. She had created a pyramid from bottle tops.
The second awarded honorable mention was Irene from class 2c for her Ghanaian village diorama which included houses, a woman cooking over a fire, and pictures of two Ghana’s most popular crops, plantains and maize.
After honorable mentions we awarded Tina third place for her interactive displace of Odds and Evens.
Second place went to Bernice for chicken coop and chicken yard to show the different ways in which chickens are take care of.
Finally, first place was granted to Dorcas from class 2d. She worked hours on her project The Little Kingdom. Her 3-D diorama included over ten different animals, mountains, a river, a waterfall, and trees. The project included a corresponding poem that students would be asked to memorize. The most exciting part of her project was the added reward of a crown of the student to wear when they have correctly memorized the poem! She did a fantastic job on her explanation and creativity.
Participants were excited about their prizes and extremely gracious. After the ceremony Dorcas gave a heart-felt thank you to Betsy and I on behalf of all contestants that left few dry eyes in the room.
Although the projects never were displayed for the visitors on Saturday to see the judges, contestants, Betsy, and I were extremely impressed with the outcome of this contest. I hope that next year’s IFESH volunteer will continue this activity.
Now own to the contest. Months ago Betsy and I met with educators from KNUST in Kumasi and began a partnership based on the creation of TLMs (teacher learning materials). During out meeting we decided that students from KNUST should visit our TRC to get ideas for their own TLMs. They did visit our campus early last month. Next, Betsy and I brainstormed things that our students could do to share with the KNUST students. I came up with an idea of a TLM contest.
I asked a few of our APCE students if they would be interested in entering a contest where they would create a TLM and win great teacher prizes from the Schoolbox. The few girls I surveyed said that this sounded like a great idea- so I got to work. I created a flyer that listed the rules for the contest:
• Participates are able to enter just one TLM
• Your TLM must fit in one of the following categories:
-Mathematics
-Science
-Social Studies/ History
-Health/Physical Education
-Language/Literature/Reading
• TLMs must be created primarily from found objects (example: bottles, boxes, tubes, etc)- at least making up of 30% of the TLM
• No posters will be accepted
• TLM must also have attached a handwritten or typed sheet (no longer than one page) explaining the TLM use to teach a part of the Ghanaian curriculum
• Finished TLMs are due to the TLM teachers by 4:00pm Monday March 23
And I created a rubric that explained to the contestants that they could be graded on neatness, their explanation, creativity, grammar, usability, and learning styles addressed.
We decided to have the TLM contest coincide with the students S.R.C. week- which is a week that the students get to celebrate being students! They had a beauty pageant, dance party, clean up day, and sport activities. On Saturday, March 28 they would have a program where guests were invited from all around the community and beyond. This sounded like the best time to have our students’ finished projects out for viewing.
APCE first and second year students were invited to enter the contest. Students had three weeks to work on their TLMs. They could work on the TLMs during class time or during open hours. We hosted additional Teacher Resource Center (TRC) open hours times on Sundays after church and on Friday afternoons as well as extended hours on our regular days (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays). The pupils that entered the contest worked countless hours on the TLMs that they submitted on Monday, March 23. It was nice to be able to give them help them get ideas to create TLMs that were much more interactive then posters.
On Wednesday, March 24, we began the first round of judging. This round was strictly for the “Kids Choice Award”. We had six children from the neighborhood come to give their expert input. This judges’ ages ranged from seven to eleven years. Each child took their duty very seriously and each had their favorite. In the end one vote put the winner over the others.
The second round of judging took place on Thursday, March 25. Earlier in the week I went around to multiple teachers and administrators in the community to deliver an invitation to the TRC to be the official contest judges. The judges, one head master of nearby school, one secretary of a primary school, and four teachers from lower and upper primary schools, received refreshments as they judges the projects with the rubrics provided. Each judge took their duty seriously and gave fantastic feedback for the contestants.
On Friday, March 26, Betsy and I had the contestants meet us in the Teacher Resource Center to find out the winners. Betsy took hours creating homemade 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons for the top winner.
Most of the prizes awarded (stickers, pencils, crayons, markers, pens, rulers, notepads, teacher tote bag, and a teacher resource book on creating crafts from found objects) were donations from a teacher supply store in Atlanta, Georgia called the Schoolbox. To find out more about the Schoolbox click here.
The first prize we awarded was the contestant that used the largest percentage of found objects.
Tina from class 2c had used cardboard, bottle tops, and water bags to create her Odds and Even number display with attached activities for the teacher.
Next we awarded Bernice the Kids Choice Award winner. Her 3-D intensive and extensive poultry farm was excited to the kid judges.
Finally we award the two honorable mentions. The first awarded was Cynthia from class 2d. She had created a pyramid from bottle tops.
The second awarded honorable mention was Irene from class 2c for her Ghanaian village diorama which included houses, a woman cooking over a fire, and pictures of two Ghana’s most popular crops, plantains and maize.
After honorable mentions we awarded Tina third place for her interactive displace of Odds and Evens.
Second place went to Bernice for chicken coop and chicken yard to show the different ways in which chickens are take care of.
Finally, first place was granted to Dorcas from class 2d. She worked hours on her project The Little Kingdom. Her 3-D diorama included over ten different animals, mountains, a river, a waterfall, and trees. The project included a corresponding poem that students would be asked to memorize. The most exciting part of her project was the added reward of a crown of the student to wear when they have correctly memorized the poem! She did a fantastic job on her explanation and creativity.
Participants were excited about their prizes and extremely gracious. After the ceremony Dorcas gave a heart-felt thank you to Betsy and I on behalf of all contestants that left few dry eyes in the room.
Although the projects never were displayed for the visitors on Saturday to see the judges, contestants, Betsy, and I were extremely impressed with the outcome of this contest. I hope that next year’s IFESH volunteer will continue this activity.
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