Fatoumatta's Compound

Lauren and Fatoumatta

Wandifa in his new Arsenal shirt!

Let the braiding commence!

We had lunch cooked for us - chicken domoda.

Wandifa decided he wanted to have a go at hair braiding.

Mo Lamin wouldn't let Dan carry the cool bag!

Visit to Nuha's compound

Waiting for Nuha - finally a chance to show my skills!

Playing catch.

Lauren and I with our sponsor child - Nuha

Giving Nuha his presents.

Nuha in his new clothes!

The whole family

Lauren and Mo Lamin

Best friends

KMJ

Sponge painting sea creatures for the display

Labeling parts of the human body

Reading the book of the week - The rainbow fish!

Putting the finishing touches to the display.

Some beautifully decorated rainbow fish.

Class photo with Nursery 2

Masks that have been finger painted.

Demonstrating the sack race!

The beanbag race

The very difficult three legged race!

Kings Kids Academy

Sewing with hessien

More sewing!

A finished flower!! Made by sewing felt onto hessien.

Making Mosaic Letters

Admiring some beautiful letters!

Under, Over!!

Our last few days! - storms, rain and no connection have prevented us from doing this sooner!

FRIDAY
Our last day at KMJ, sports day! We started with nursery 3 who were very excitied and all wearing their PE kits! We split them into 2 teams and set them up as relay races - although this was much harder to do than you think!! We started with the bean bag race - they needed lots of encouragement to actually race! This was followed by the egg and spoon race with some very careful runners. The boys were much more cautious than the girls. This was followed by a running relay race and finally the sack race!!!!!! The children absolutely loved this race and needed no encouragment. We promise there will be pictures up tomorrow (wednesday). The pictures are brilliant. We said goodbye to Nursery 3 and moved to Nursery 2.

Again in Nursery 2, more orgainsed teams(!), we did the bean bag race, egg and spoon race and introduced the three legged race. The children thought our demonstration for the three legged race was hilarious - they were also higly amused watching each other. Some children got the concept of this race, however some needed an escort (ready to catch!) yet all managed to stay on their two legs of should we say three. The last race was the scak race - again very well enjoyed. We left the sports equipment with the teacher to use again. The promised they would use all resoucres given to them to maxium effect. They also said they had learnt alot from us anbd we have learnt alot from the children and teachers.

In the evening we met up with Linda, who works in The Gambia, to learn more abou the Gambian curriculum in lower basic, roughly equivalent to English primary schools. We learnt such a lot and have a broad understanding of how the curriculum works in The Gambia. Our evening was finished with possibly the best Pizza in the Gambia. We went to Sene-Gambia, Paradios Pizza!

SATURDAY
Today we went to visit the little boy we sponsor. His name is Nuha. He goes to a nursery school in Jambanjelly, near to his home. As usual Wandifa did a fabulous job of pointing out interesting aspects of Gambian life. As this is Dan's first visit to a more rural area this was particularly interesting. We got to go to Wandif's brothers compound to see the goats! Wandifa insisted we took photos of the goats new bed to show Pippa! Unfortunately his brother was out so we only got to meet the goats! We arrived at Nuhas compound to lots of smiling faces. One minor problem, Nuha had gone to play hunting for the day. Luckily his father went to find him on his bike. Wandifa suggested we send out the search and rescue dogs, like in the police programmes. While we waited, Dan finally got to play football and Lauren played catch with the girls. Finally Nuha was found and we had a few presents for him (a pair of chelsea shorts and two t-shirts) He was very proud and put them on straight away!! We gave his parents a small goodie bag for the whole family and then took lots of family photos. It was time to head back to spend the rest of the afternoon by the pool, before the storms set in.

SUNDAY
Today was Dans big day! His locks have now been braided. We have spent the day at Fatoumatta's compound (this is the girl that Laurens family sponsors) Lauren really enjoyed meeting the family again and had a few presents for them. Fatoumatta and her mum were really happy with their presents. Fatoumatta's mum started to braid Dans hair (which was more painful than he expected!). Half way through the braiding we were treated to lunch - chicken domada, it was lovely (for those who are unsure of what this is, it is chicken with rica and a peanutty sauce.) Afterwards the braiding continued and Wandifa decided to have a go on Laurens hair. Before we knew it, it was 4o'clock and Dans hair was finished! We have had a great day chilling with the family, Yankuba, Wandifa and Abdoulaye. On the way back the two youngest children fell asleep, this matched how we were feeling!

MONDAY
Our last day, we went back to the market to do some last minute bartering. After we left the market we went back to the hotel to relax and enjoy the rest of our last day.

We have had an absolutely fantastic time out here and have learned lots about the Gambian way of life and our own teaching! We want to saay a big thankyou to everyone who has supported us and donated money towards resources. We are really grateful as were the teachers and children who received them. We believe they will be used to their maximum potential. We hope you enjoyed reading the blog. Please, Please, Please, Please look at the blog on wednesday, as we will have added more photos which should bring our blog to life.

Lauren and Dan.

we forgot our notes so pictures today and writing to follow!!!!

Kings Kids Academy - Over, Under!!!!

KMJ - mosaic letters

KMJ - behaviour management!!!!!

KMJ - follow my action!

KMJ - colouring their Rainbow Fish.

DAN'S HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 17

Today we were back at KMJ and the minibus was ready and waiting for us!! We started in nursery 3 where the children finished their rainbow fish from yesterday. They stuck sequins to their fish but managed to get them everywhere including their faces. The children also got to fingerpaint a mask each which they seemed to enjoy as it meant getting their fingers dirty! We did a class photo outside in the courtyard and children got to see the display they had helped create.

Next we were in nursery 2. They also decorated their own mask by finger painting. However they were reluctant to get their hands dirty (at first). Soon enough paint was everywhere!! After this we took them outside to do a proper class photo (with a bench and everything!!). We sang lots of songs including heads shoulders knees and toes, and the hokey cokey - they found this very exciting!.

Another great day, the children were much more confident around us! Now we are really excited for our sports day tomorrow!!

Lauren and Dan

KMJ!!

Day 16

What a day!!!!

Today was a day for paint, glitter and more paint! Our aim for today was to create an under the sea display as we have been reading the rainbow fish! This started in nursery 1 - where children sponge painted the sea and sand part of te disoplay. They also coloured their own rainbow fish.

Next to add to the display were nursery 2. They sponge painted seaweed and sea creatures. They also learnt names of sea creatures - they found the word octopus particularly tricky! During break we put the display, so far, together, with Abdoulies help! We think it looks really good considering how few resources we used.

After break nursery 3 started to create their own rainbow fish - which will be included on the dislay when finished. We read the rainbow fish again and they finger painted their own rainbow fish using sparkly silver paint!!! (this was also on dans face!) As the paint did not dry as quickly as we assumed (!) we decided to re-visit yetersdays science. The children absoultly loved this resource. It was one of the things brought from donations.

Lauren and Dan xx

Day 15

What a brilliant day! We have been at KMJ doind lots of teaching, starting in nursery 3! We revised the alphabet - the children were a little shy at first but soon warmed up to us. After looking at the alphabet the hil;dren decorated letters using felt, to create a moasic pattern. Yankuba and Abdoulie were also rather good at this! We also had a large felt human template, stuck to a felt tabard and names of the different parts of the body to stick on. As a class children identifed different parts of the body. Dyuring this activity they were much more lively anf keen to contribute.

Then we moved to Nursery 2 - it was a similar lesson but focusing on numbers instead. This class were mch quieter to begin with but when it came to science and the bosy they were very lively abd enthustic. We had a reaslly good day! The teachers and children are keen for us to come back!

L&D X

Day 14 - KMJ

Hello.

We left at 8.30, on time(!) to arrive at KMJ and found it was shut today! a few crossed wires! However we met one of the teachers and planned what we would be doing ths week. We also looked at the exams recently taken by the children, therefopre not all was lost. We have a full week ahead of consisting of art, maths, english and science! Can not wait for tomorrow but first we have a dinner date with Yankuba.

L&D

Day 12 & 13

Hello.

Just checking in, not very much tp report. As well as lots of sunbathing we were memorised by the storm on Saturday! this made english storms look pretty pathetic! WE haeve done lots of drawing and cutting out of sea creatures in preparation for our week at KMJ. This shopuld be an exciting week.

Lauren and Dan x

Ndow school

Hello! We have spent the last 2 days at Ndow upper basic school. This is a junior school consisting of grades 7,8 and 9 however grade 9 have left due to finishing their exams. On thursday we sat with grade 7 and observed many lessons including, PE, social and environmental studies and english!

On friday we sat with a very lively grade 8 class. Grade 8 are prparing for exams - so lots of revision. We sat in a french lesson - which Lauren understood but did not realise, but Dan does not understand kmuch french! Oops. The boys were very keen to talk to Dan about football, Lauren felt slightly outnumbered until they learned that she supports Chelsea!

We have had a good few days in Ndow. We have visited 2 very differewnt schools and are excited to be going to KMJ on Monday! Now for dinner at Billy's!

Lauren and Dan

Day 8 and 9

Our last 2 days at Kings Kids. We spent Tuesday in the Nursetry with Nursery 2 and 3. We started with nursery 3 and were focusing on the alphabet, and tried to make it as creative as possible. We had all the letters of the alphabet, one for each child, and using foam, they could stick his on to create a moasic effect. The children were keen to show us their artistic creations. We went through the letters before moving onto animals. We gave children a selection of animals stickers, coloured pencils and paper to create their own masterpiece!! As they were busy cweatinmg we talked o children about the different animals. As a whole class we talked about the different animals from africa. Wwe finished in nursery 3 with a highly competvte game of over, under!!!!

After a wet break (the first rain of the season!!) we moved to nursery 2. Our lesso was simialr to the one in nursery 3 but focused on the numbers to 10. Agaon the children throughly enjoyed creating their mosaics. We read Night Monkey Day Monkey to the children. This book looks at teh differences between day and night. The children then coloured in day and night monkey pictuires. We finished with another game of over under and a song!

Today was our last day at Kings Kids. We observed lessons all day. There was lotys of revisio going on in the top half of the school and we observed some of this. We also sat in on a french lesson! We have throughly ernjoyed our time at kings kids. This was a good first gambian school fior Dan to visit as they are well organised, have excellent teaschers, high standards and lovely children.

Lauren and Dan.
P.s. for those concerned about the mini-bus - it is now fixed! Wandifa informed us that the bit that makes us bounce had broken!!!!!! We enquired whether he meant suspension!

Day 7

Today we were back at Kings Kids Academy to do our first session of teaching! The day started well with a good breakfast, until we got a phonecall from Wandifa - the minibus had broken down. Luckily due to Wandifas many contacts we made it to school on time, via gambian "bus" and taxi. When we got to school we were straight in observing science revision. Grade 7 children have their english, maths and science exams next week. Our knowledge of consumers and producers is now well up to date!

We spent the rest of the morning observing lessons before being let loose into the classroom!!!! In our first taught session we were with grade 5 and we did art with a slightly scientific twist. We used felt and hessien to create flowers and labelled each part of the flower. Both the the students, teacher and ourselves had such a good time that we took up two lesson slots! We felt it was a very successful first lesson as the children by the end of the lesson could label the flowers and the materials they had been using. As we left the children asked if we could do some more art!!!!

This evening will involve drawing monkeys and butterflys, cutting out monkeys and butterflys ready for tomorrows teaching in the nursery part of Kings Kids.We will be using the book 'Night monkey day monkey'. Thanks for reading!!!!

Lauren and Dan
x

Day 4/5

Hello!
On Friday we spent the morning at Kings Kids Academcy, as they had prayer in the afternoon. There are 3 classes, nursery 1, 2 and 3. Ages begin at 4. Beginning in nursery 3 they started with letters and asounds of the a;phabet. They do alot of their learnin gby rote. The children were very well behaved and were very focused throughout the lesson.

Next was maths in nursery 2. They were looking at addition. The chi;dren used bottle tops, collected as coyunters, to support their learning. The maths was done orally with children offering up answers. This lesson finished with ots of songs and Lauren reconginsed a few! We had a break with the PAGEANT boys and Dan tried green tea - which he quickly handed to Lauren! He couldn't cope with the sweetness!

After break we were in nursery 1 with some very smiley and excited faces. This class were learning their letters of the alphabet. They were also beginning to write the letter a. They had a special song to sing to learn their ABC. We returned to the hotel via Wandifa's compound. We meet Wandifa's youngests son Ian and Mo Lamin. Quick stop at the supermarket for vital supplies. Our first dinner at Billys and they had sold out of everything expect egg..egg sandwhiches all round! with the odd ant for added protein!!!!!!

Today has been spent relaxing however we have been doing some planning. Bring on Mondays teaching. We can not wait.

Lauren and Dan.

P.s. apologies fior spellings and gramma! we have to type rather quick!

Day 3

Today we visited Kings Kids Academy, the first school of our visit!!! It was very interesting and has developed alot over the last couple of years. When we arrived we walked through a couple of different classrooms and were welcomed very well. We met with both the pastor for the school and the head teacher, both were very enthusiastic for our visit. We had a tour of the school, looking at all the different classrooms. There are 7 grades, from grade 1 to grade 7! We observed grade 7 who were studying what the word culture meant in terms their country, this was really interesting to hear about. It was a great lesson to start with, especially for Dan, as it gave it more of an insight into the Gambian way of life.


After break we visited the nursery, this has three classes, Nursery 1, 2 and 3. The youngest children (nursery 1) were learning their alphabet and learning about shapes. Nursery 2 were learning the days of the week and months of the year. Nursery 3 were also learning about months of the year. In Nursery 1 there were many excited faces and we are looking forward to going back into that class!

We are also able to sort out what resources we could use for possible lessons next week. We have been given a grammar book to teach English with. Think it is time to ensure our grammar is perfect! We also looked at the art resources for use in our 'Scientific art lesson'.

Before we left, we had an interesting conversation with the grade 7 teacher about phonics! He explained that the children often struggled with blending digraphs (for the non-teachers, this is when you are putting two sounds together - e.g. s and h make the sound sh. The children often find it difficult to pronounce the sh sound and will say the s sound (e.g sun sine)

Tomorrow we will be back at Kings Kids Academy but will be in the nursery section!

Lauren and Dan

Day 1-2

Hello from The Gambia!!

We arrived safe and sound yesterday in a small yet busy airport (and even got the bus to the terminal). Checkin was touch and go with bags being spot on 20kg and someones hand luggage was over the allowance!!! (DAN!!!) We arrived to find we are practically the only guests! I now understand the true meaning of off-peak in The Gambia! Today we went to the market to exchange money and buy some resources for school.

We briefly visited Albion Lower Basic school with Wandifa (our faithful guide) to pass on some letters. We were greeted with many many smiling faces and admired the science, maths and phonics painting on the walls around the school.

Tomorrow we will be at Kings Kids Academy, leaving at 8.30am. We are very excitied to be in the classroom with the children.

Love Dan and Lauren x

P.s I am sorry to say that we forgot the camera lead, however the minute we're back pictures will be added!

Night Before

Hi,

Just wanted to check the blog works. All set to go now, bags packed, lots of different resources packed!!! Leaving at 5.30 tomorrow morning!!!