Two of the the Sierra Leonean teachers gave demonstration lessons yesterday. Mohamed Koroma first organized the teachers into 3 groups and started a model lesson in environmental science by sending the participants outdoors to collect a variety of leaves. He dictated six questions to guide group discussion and had each group choose a secretary to record group responses. After adequate time to complete the activity, the secretary of each group reported the group's findings. Mohamed reminded participants that each group was reporting on its own leaves, not everyone else's and to listen and not dispute findings. He then went through again and guided the whole group in reaching consensus. He commended each group's responses as valid, with no wrong answers. He also validated individuals' use of local names for the plants. He gave a follow-up assignment that allowed use of familiar names for the plants. Also, he had started with a focusing activity and inserted a kinesthetic activity during the lesson. It was an excellent lesson and required no materials other than the leaves and the pencil and paper the participants used.
Friday morning we will finish with two more sessions, lunch, and a closing celebration.
Then we will head for NJala University and Taiama before going on to Freetown on Saturday. Pat
Each morning we open the workshop with singing & prayers. We usually listen in awe as the teachers sing with so much vigor and joy! This morning after their singing, I told them about our Independence Day Celebrations each year on July 4. Since both of our countries were colonized by Great Britain and they celebrate Indpendence Day later in the year, we were able to highlight the similarities in our history. Marti then read God of All the Nations from the hymnal and our team sang America the Beautiful! Although we normally avoid highlighting things from our society, this was an opportunity to demonstrate that we love our country as they do theirs. Amy
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