Trinity’s Adventures in Africa
The time I spent in Kenya this summer will have a lasting impact on who I am. I love the country, the people, the culture. It is a place where joy truly thrives.
Since I had an opportunity to travel to Kenya this summer, I especially enjoyed teaching our social studies unit on African empires. As a culmination to our unit, sixth graders completed an “African Adventure” with one of the sixth grade teachers. One group learned about symbolism in African art with Mrs. Bauer and made clay masks with beads, cowrie shells, and raffia. Another group studied endangered animals with Mr. Parrish and used their understanding of scale to enlarge a photo of their favorite African animal. Mrs. Berry taught a group about African music and dance, and the students carefully created their own rendition of a tribal dance with drums, costumes, and all sorts of instruments!
My group explored a variety of current events occurring in rural and urban areas on the African continent. After learning about deforestation in Ghana, the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, economic decline in Zimbabwe, and the illegal ivory trade, students researched an environmental, political, or social issue that is affecting the African people. After conducting research, students worked individually or in pairs to craft a narrative that highlights how one person (male or female, adult or child) is personally affected by the environmental, political, or social issue. The narrative, told in first person through the eyes of the imaginary character, was recorded in a Windows Photostory.
I will link to all of the photostories in another post, but I wanted to highlight Lizzie and Mariam’s work because of its connection to Martin Fisher, a definite hero of mine and social entrepreneur. I had the pleasure of meeting Martin when I attended Renaissance Weekend in Charleston over Thanksgiving break and his work is affecting hundreds of thousands of people. His commitment to ending poverty in Africa and KickStart, his non-profit organization, give me great hope for the continent which I love so much.
Mariam and Lizzie have both written posts about the impact that Martin Fisher’s work has had on them. Their posts are powerful and well worth reading. Additionally, their photostory is articulate, creative, and moving. I am proud of these girls and their interest in what is happening in the world around them.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Hey Ms. Howard! that was great! Lizzie and Mariam did a great job too! they were so articulate. All of the African Adventures projects were very fun and educational. It sounds like you had a lot of fun in Kenya, it sounds like a great place. We like how you put pictures and a photostory on your blog. It made it very interesting and visual. Great Job!
Maggie and Emma
April 7th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Dear Ms. Howard,
This is Jamie Hall (Jimbo), thanks for visiting my blog and sorry for the late reply. Elementary schools in Japan are just beginning their academic year and it might be a little difficult to arrange an exchange with one right now. If your students have questions about Japan, though, my university students would be very happy to answer them. You students could post their questions in a blog post and then we could answer them.
Cheers,
JH
May 20th, 2008 at 2:52 am
Hi! My name is Hayley. I come from New Zealand. My class is having a competition to see who can get the mosr comments from around the world, so please leave me one! Thanks
P.S. that trip in africa looked like it was a lot of fun!