learning the ropes

Throughout the weeks of school we had different activities and lessons for library class.

We made some name cards!
Class five with some puzzles~ THANK YOU!
All done! Putting the puzzle together

The first reading journal entry was Curious George. I gave them an example for their reading journal. We write out the title, author and writing a thought about the book.

Bishnu coloring Curious George. He's a determined artist.

A new program for this year is a nutritious snack for the students during lunch time.


The teachers gives each student one scoop of plumpy nut in their tiffin.

Reading buddies.

The fifth graders are paired up with class 2 students.
Bhim Kumar (class 5) with Ang Dorjee (class 2).

Here is Kiran (class 2) with his reading buddy Ajay (class 5).

In the teacher's office there were three bucket full of blocks that were dusty and unused. Another teacher and I cleaned these off so they can be used for class 1. I thought it would be fun to play~

Manisha and me with the kids
with Class 5
with some of the teachers and Auntie
Reading journal time! Each class is keeping a reading journal. They are learning to wash their hands, read a book and write in their journal.
Class 3 classroom library
Reading buddies in class 4
I have some thoughtful students! from Class 5.

organizing school

The school has been running for five years and there was no record keeping system. I had taken time to go through of the all paper work and organized their filing cabinet. I made a easy to use filing system. Also I will add a student record file. In the file there will be a progress report, student evaluation form, and a copy of a report card. This will help to monitor the student progress.

The next project that I'm working on that will hopefully be a lasting effect on the school is the handbook. The handbook will serve as a guide to the teachers, principal, parents, school management committee and the other sponsoring organizations . This will help to lay out the policies and procedures that the school should follow. This handbook be helpful to manage and review the progress of the school. My aim is that the handbook can be the foundation that the school needs to increase the quality of education for my students and the future of the school.

on the side note: Here in Nepal teacher's job is not respected and being here where the teachers doesn't care about their students or their job. I wanna say....

I want to say thank you to some of my teachers from Linden Hall, and West Virginia Wesleyan. Dr. Mcgrath, Mrs. Lavery, Dr. Levy, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Mahoney. I am so lucky to have great teachers in my life who influenced me. Thank you. You are the best! Teacher changes people's lives. They enrich our minds and without my teachers/mentors I couldn't be here doing what I am doing. I applaud to you for your hard work and dedication you put into your job and students! Many thanks!! I hope someday the students of Phaplu Community School will say the same about their teachers...

First day of school

Today was the first day of school. I was so excited to show the students the books so I spent the first day of school going over the rules of the classroom library. This will be the daily routine. First students must wash their hands. The library captain from each class will be incharge of this duty. One by one in each class I am teaching how to properly wash their hands. I am explaining that it is important to keep ourselves clean and the books.
Class 5 boys reading their first books of the year. One by One the captain led the class back into the room and the students went to the bookshelf to pick out their book.
Hmm that looks good too
Class 5 reading their books

This is how we wash our hands.
Now it's time for class 1 teacher to teach!
don't forget to use the soap!
Helping the little ones from class 1.
Shake Shake Shake. We are drying off our hands!
Now time to read!

Day with books and student volunteers

Today we went to school to organize the books on the shelves and put up the library posters. I had 5 volunteers. They worked for two hours arranging and counting books. Total count of books 1049 books for classes 1-5. More books will come soon!

The volunteers are helping to organize the books by size.
Students from Phaplu Community School Kumar (class 2) and Jeeban (class 5).

Class 3 book count: 268 books!
Class 5 book count: 280 books
Some of my signs I made for class.
Breaktime with Cookies!
Snack Time!
This is a great group of volunteers and they are from local schools. Sonam( ANM nursing school), Nimdu (White Hills), Jeeban(PCS), HomRaj (White Hills), and Kumar (PCS). I couldn't finish without their help! Thank you!
Jeeban and me...just playing around.

Bringing the shelves and books to school!

Today Manisha, Auntie, the Peace Club Boys and me went to take down the shelves and books to school.


Manisha, Auntie, Mingmar and me spent four hours at school sorting and color coordinating the books.These boys are strong!

These highschool boys are from local schools and they are in a club called the Peace Club. They do social work for their communities.
The boys walking down the hill.
We made it!

Play time with the boys! Football!
One of the shelves in class 3.

Now we are working on organizing the books and school starts in two weeks. We will be preparing for the start of the new school year.

Preparing

This week I'm preparing for our classroom. We are working on signs and decorations. I am happy to see how things are coming together. Here's some of my drawings. I'm not the best artist but we had fun doing these!
Mrs. Pirate.
Clifford the big red dog. One of my fav children book.
Representing NYC!!
My Drawing! Powerpuff girls. These will be hanging along with our signs we made for the classroom library.Winnie the Pooh and friends!
Some drawings with the help of 10th grader at the private school.
Here's the preview of our shelves! This size will be in classes 3,4,5 and smaller ones with class 1 and 2.

We met with the carpenter before leaving for my Khumbu trip. Here is Manisha and the head carpenter designing our shelves. We will make 5 shelves for each classroom.

PCS Results Day

On April 7th 2010 PCS had their results day. Manisha and the other teachers were busy for several days to prepare for this day. The parents and the students came to school to talk with the class teacher. One by one the students are called in. The teachers discussed about the students improvements and areas where they were still lacking.
She passed!!
Angelina running to see her results
I was being Jangmu's guardian. She's in class 3 and ranked 1# all three semesters. She will skip 4 and join 5th grade! I'm so proud of her hard work!
Students and their parents looking at the results
Students are waiting....
Both students and parents are waiting to see the results
Manisha giving her student their results.
Manisha getting ready for giving out the results