Guidecraft 1

New teaching opportunities are introduced thanks to Guidecraft and their Better Builders sets!!!

Guidecraft started in 1966 in a small woods op producing 10 items. The company now includes over 850 educational toys and furnishings. Their mission remains the same; stay true to the tradition of smart, beautifully crafted wood products, which allow children's minds and imaginations room to truly wonder and grow. They value the importance of expert quality, excellent service and an ever growing collection of creativity inspiring products for children.

The teachers at the Urukundo School tested them out first at one of their trainings before they introduced them to the children. And what fun it was. They had never seen anything like this!!!

As the company shared, "We are donating this product because Guildecraft strives on educating children from all walks of life and we feel it's important that ALL children get an opportunity to learn."

******This set is amazing so check it out on their website www.guidecraft.com

Thank you Guidecraft for making a difference in so many children's lives even in Africa!

Guidecraft 2

Once the teachers learned how to use this educational magnetic toy during their teacher trainings, it was time to introduce it to the 2nd graders. So....... it was time to just play.

Each group explored in their own unique way. Some built using the same colors while others worked together using all the pieces. Others built around the edge of table, then built up.

Look at the fun they had seeing things stick and push away and learning new words like attract and repel.

Thank you Guidecraft for providing sets of Better Builders for almost 300 children in our school.

Library

Very few children actually have a book in their home. So having our library at the school is something special and precious to them. Shelves and shelves of books. Many at my church St. Paul's United Methodist, the local Kiwanis and Altrusa, book clubs and friends have provided much needed funds for our teams to take books.

In my four trips to Rwanda I have taken over 600 pounds of books. Storybooks, science, spiritual, art, easy readers, math, and many others.

Since the teachers were excited about the trainings I decided to present a training at the library. Two teachers, one a translator, accompanied one of the second grade classes. I talked about what a library is, how to behave in the library, what you can discover in books and how there are several ways to read books. The kids all participated in this discussion clicking their fingers with arms raised and waving as that is the custom when wanting to answer.

With Ignace translating for me I asked the class to tell me what they thought the unopened book I was holding might be about. All they saw was the cover. Many had humorous answers but we all agreed that by opening it we could discover something new and exciting.

The next day I arrived at the library to meet with the other second grade class. They had arrived early and Ignace had begun. I smiled, gave him a thumbs up and sat down with the kids. He agreed to do all the library trainings going forward. Our being there is about empowering the teachers to step up in new ways. Next would be a class on selecting books and the care of them. Then they would choose a book to read.

It was decided at the meeting of the parent association that during the term break the library would remain open to the students and their families and others from the community. Many of you have opened a new world by sending books to Rwanda!!

Teacher Training

Teacher training has become an important part of our ministry in Rwanda. We use teacher classroom projects in the US as a springboard to presenting new and imaginative ways to teach.

This year our Rwandan teachers decided to have a training everyday for an hour during their lunchtime. Initially I led the meeting presenting the projects and asking the preschool and elementary teachers to determine what grade level would take on each project. The teachers shared ideas on how to implement them in the classroom and what materials were needed.

Then I stepped back and had the teachers begin leading the trainings. They discussed how well the project worked, what were the difficulties and how this could lead to additional projects. They shared the students excitement and that kids in other classes asked when they would begin.

We realized that all the classes would begin working on the art and writing and not just one or two at a time. These collaborative projects and the teacher trainings would happen during three weeks while I was there and while classes were in session.

Teachers Training the teachers!!!

Scarves

Thank you to West Music west music.com for providing one set of 12 scarves. We purchased another set of 12 to have enough for our music classes.

This week we actually had a group of 8 college-age students that are taking a gap year with several months in Rwanda. They will be spending a week at Urukundo teaching English, helping at the dental clinic, playing with the kids and doing any work that needs to be done. One even wants to milk our new cow!

Four volunteered to go to the music room with six of our 8-12 year olds. A few teens also joined us. They quickly had the kids attention as they introduced new interactive songs. One about a moose, another about jobs and finally a UK version of the Hokey Pokey. What fun we all had.

Then the scarves came out. Emmanuel draped himself in scarves and Aline danced and danced. We can't wait to see how Rosemary our music teacher will use them in the classroom for the next term. I know they will love them.

Octaband

Thank you Octaband for providing a discount for 2 Octabands that we brought to Rwanda. The Friends School's 6th grade class in State College had a bake sale that provided the funds for the 16-arm Octaband.

This fun, interactive tool is made of bright, stretchy material that stimulates movement and playfulness in a group activity.

Check out their website www.octaband.com

Our kids had such fun playing with it. A bit chaotic the first time, but thanks to Nina and her songs they calmed down a bit. We were more successful today when we had fewer kids and the older kids were helping.

Music

A new initiative is being implemented into our school, a music program. This is new to schools in Rwanda but an important element for expression, healing, creativity, composition and learning about traditional Rwandan music.

We are thrilled to be partnering with the Kigali Music School and the director Aimable. Last week we visited the school and this Friday they came to Urukundo to meet with our teachers.

Rosemary our music and drama teacher was very receptive. As Aimable shared about the healing power of music using a holistic approach her interest was piqued even more. The other teachers weren't quite sure what to expect but as he spoke about Training of Trainers, meaning training ALL our teachers, they soon realized they have an important role too.

TOT,Training of Trainers will be an intensive, concentrated two weeks, every morning, in April during the teacher break. All teachers will participate. The focus will be music theory and our instruments (Inanga, drums and recorders). Teachers have already volunteered to learn one of these instruments.

Support is needed for the cost of this two week training as well as funding to have one teacher come once a week to teacher and give lessons. Let me know if you a interested in being a part of this important initiative.

*Aimable sharing how music comes from the heart
*With our teachers
*Inventorying the instruments
*Aimable and Rosemary our music teacher