Magna-Tiles 2

So play continued in the classroom with this amazing learning tool. Children built flat on the table and some built up. Others used the same colors then decided to mixed them up. They discovered some sides would repel and others attract. Working alone and working together provided many opportunities to explore what worked and what didn't. Look at their beautiful faces!!!!

Valtech shared, "We are always glad to hear from parents, teachers and children about their experiences with Magna-Tiles. We were able to spend time reading your BLOG and would like to support you, your efforts, and the children in the community at the Urukundo Learning Center. We are inspired by the work that you do and the stories you share. We especially appreciate your consideration of Magna-Tiles and traveling with them to be used as a learning tool! We hope that together, they will enjoy, play and learn with Magna-Tiles."

I found Valtech listed as one of the top two teaching tools with magnets for young children!! You will love them as much as our children did!!

Fish Teach 1

Fish are teaching children to be creative and to give back (see MY Blog entry March 2014 Fish 1 & Fish 2) as well as teaching math and other concepts in the classroom.

The creative part was an idea that I presented to Amy Frank, an artist as well as a very creative sewing instructor who works with kids. Besides teaching art and sewing she is committed to providing opportunities for kids to learn about the world and the joy of giving back. So Amy offered a Kids Helping Kids Workshop at the Studio at Contempo in Boalsburg. Forty parents and children made felt fish to be used as teaching tools in classrooms at the Urukundo School.

The fish arrived in Rwanda where our elementary school teachers had the first opportunity to try their hand fishing with magnets. After lots of laughter we discussed how this could be used in the classroom as a teaching tool. They shared many great ideas and couldn't wait for the kids to come to the library and give it a try.

Fish Teach 2

Now it was time for small groups of second graders to try their hand at fishing. It was fun to see their eyes light up when they saw so many colors, shapes and sizes. This was something new and it was educational!!

The children learned about attraction as they used the pole with magnets to catch the fish. With the line and magnet swirling they learned to steadied it and drop down onto the fish. Soon they went from catching one at a time to seeing how many they could keep on the magnet at once. They all agreed this was a special gift from children in the US.

Thank you to all the kids and parents at Amy Frank's "Kids Helping Kids Workshop" for being so creative and bringing smiles to so many children's faces.

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!!!