"Happy happy happy happy happy happy happy HAPPY. Now let's get the show on the road!"

If you spent all of the 90's (and part of the 2000's for that matter) obsessing over Mary-Kate & Ashley (before they went south) then you know exactly what movie that quote's from. Yes, I'm pointing at you Jen.

I am so happy I can't even. I learned a very valuable lesson when working with students who have austism: when you can't find the right words to say, borrow someone else's. So today I am "happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, HAPPY." But honestly, folks, "let's get this show on the road," I just can't wait any longer to get on that plane!

I GOT MY FIRST LETTER FROM BIBIAN!

Well, actually, I got a letter that Bibianah wrote someone else. Earlier this year she began writing letters to a family she believed were her new sponsors, but it eventually fell through financially. Or should I say, never started financially. The wonderful ladies at the JAM office in Glen Ellyn thought I might enjoy reading the letters anyways to get to know Bibianah. They were right of course (at this point I'd read her math homework if only to catch a little glimpse of her!) Here's what I got:

This little girl's future is as bright as her smile.

Okay, honestly. Could she be any more adorable??? I want to grab this child and squeeze her! She is the cutest thing I've seen all year. I am so lucky. I can tell right away that she is going to be one fun time. We are going to paint our nails and twirl our dresses and dance the night away. She's got a fiery spirit, I can see it. I love her so much.

The #2 Reason Why I am Beaming This Morning:

I have received two amazing donations from two amazing people.

Exhibit A:144 toothbrushes, 144 flossers and 144 tubes of grape and sparkle blue toothpaste. These are not just any old brushes. These are glitter and glow and Disney and Winnie the Pooh and Dora the Explorer and Monsters Inc. and Finding Nemo toothbrushes. If that doesn't make brushing your teeth a party, nothing will.

Okay, Mom, we all know you are obsessed with brushed, flossed, whitened, straight teeth and healthy gums. I promise, I will teach dental hygiene to the best of my ability (which might not be that good). But basically, I understand the gist of things. (In Kishanje, children do brush their amazing beautiful smiles with homemade toothbrushes. We just thought these would be fun, and maybe easier or more thorough)

The toothpaste will be a taste none of these kids have ever experienced. Imagine, having no sugar or artificial flavoring in your diet, living solely on super healthy awesome organic meals and then exploding your taste buds with the shocking blue and purple paste that we put in our sugar-addicted children's mouths. It will be like watching a baby taste a lemon for the first time. Now that's a picture. But hey, toothbrushes work without toothpaste too. And they're fun. And important. Having cavities and no access to a dentist (or anesthesia) is. not. fun.

Exhibit B: 200 engraved Juna Amagara pencils, 200 glow bracelets and necklaces for midnight dance parties, 200 packets of crayons and 50 little plush footballs for recess. 

All from the caring heart of my friend. Lara, you literally just gave children a magical experience. Because that's what those glow sticks will be: magic. Thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU. Check out the company she was able to find all these things for such an amazing price! Oriental Trading Company

Imagine the dance parties that we will have when we are all glowing bright orange and blue and green! Now that's a picture. We are going to color the Kishanje night sky. 

I am overwhelmed by all of your generosity (and now overwhelmed with how I will fly with all this stuff). I think I'm finally going to make an AS SEEN ON TV purchase.... gonna need those magic vacuum bags! 

My 40 Day Challenge

I have a confession.

I didn't give anything up for Lent last year. Actually, I haven't given anything up for Lent since grade school. One year, in 4th grade, I remember giving up soda and chocolate. That was a little overachieving. And I remember that I did it faithfully (pun intended). But it's been years since I've done so. And I should really consider it this time around; my diet could use some restrictions.

ANYWAYS. I'm going to be in Uganda for 40 days (conveniently the same amount of days one gives up M&Ms for Lent). And during those 40 days I want to challenge myself.

I will be challenged mentally because I will have to adapt to a new life style, group of people, schedule, language and culture. 

I will be challenged emotionally because a.) I will be homesick for all of you, margaritas and Ben & Jerry's Phish Food ice cream and b.) I will experience a lot of highs and a lot of lows. From crying tears of joy to crying tears of sadness in the matter of hours. 

I will be challenged spiritually because I will be surrounded by people strong in faith. People who sing and dance at every opportunity. Who take for granted nothing and genuinely celebrate each day.

SO, on to my challenge: I want to grow stronger physically.

The Juna Amagara guest house sits on the edge of a rolling hill in Kishanje, Uganda. 

View of the guest house from the Muzungu summit

Just down the road from where I'll be staying is the base of a giant hill the locals call Mt. Muzungu. They call it this because white people can't get up it. Ha ha ha. But they are right. In the photo you can see some mountains behind the guest house. Imagine one of those. It takes a couple of hours.

I have climbed it once. And 15 minutes into my ascent, I made a promise to myself and to all of the Ugandan people that I would never climb it again. My toes were sore, my thighs burned (from going up, and then going down) and my back was bent at an awkward angle from attempting to steady myself on the steep incline. But, I did make it to the top. And let me tell you, what was waiting for me at the top was glorious! 




1. ) There is a school. A tiny public school. And every single day toddlers and young shoeless children run up Mt. Muzungu to get to school in time. They ran right past me laughing hysterically (how coordinated of them), shouting up to the top of the mountain the whole way, "A MUZUNGU! A MUZUNGU! A MUZUNGU!" (To which the only response is: "A bacchiga! A bacchiga! A bacchiga!")

Hearing all over the mountain side that a white person was on her way up to school caused a record-breaking school attendance.






2.) Behind the school building was this view:

Pictures never do views like this justice. I'm actually disappointed you can't see the incline. Just trust me, it was steep and it was high up. This view shows you Lake Bunonyi. It was early in the morning so the land was covered it a soft blanket of fog and clouds. I was in clouds. It was amazing.

Every single morning I am in Kishanje (that's 40 mornings), I will climb Mt. Muzungu. And each day I climb, my body will grow stronger like my heart has already started. Hopefully, when I get back home I will look like the Incredible Hulk.

Because I am a true teacher at heart, I must put an educational twist on all things. I will read a story to these students every single day. That's 40 climbs. 40 books. 40 days.

You've seen this photo but it needed to reappear: 
Students from the same school stare down my magic box.
I can't wait to take this one again.

What are some of the most important books you read when you were a child? On my list so far...

1. The Giving Tree
2. If You Give A Mouse A Cookie
3. Where the Wild Things Are
4. The Very Hungry Catepillar
5. A Snowy Day
6. Corduroy
7. The Rainbow Fish
8. The Little Engine That Could
9. Stellaluna
10. Polar Express
11. Love You Forever
12. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
13. Me I am!
14. On the Day You Were Born
15. Is There Really A Human Race?
16. Beatrice's Goat
17. One Hen
18. The Skin You Live In
19. Whoever You Are
20. On, the Places You'll Go!

Gilby

I received a letter from Gilbert in the mail this weekend and what was inside?????!!!!!

An updated photo! This is GOLD in the child sponsorship world (artwork coming in at a close second). 

And you can tell a lot from one photograph:

1.) He is growing! He is so tall now. 13 years old and in P6, he is a smart boy studying chemistry, physics, literature, algebra, geometry. He likes science best.

2.) He has a belly! Amen, he has a belly! 

3.) He is such a boy. And I say this in a totally-admiring-pesudo-mama type way. We all know that dirty boys are happy boys. He is playing football and riding bicycles. He isn't tucking in his shirt or tying his shoes. Such a boy. Such a joyful, energetic boy.

4.) Check out that smile!!! a) He's finally learned how to smile on command for photographs  b) That is a truly genuine heartfelt I-am-happy smile!

Here's an excerpt from his letter:

"It is almost Christmas season in Uganda. For me, I am excited. What do you do at Christmas in the US? Thanksgiving is not in Uganda. I wonder what you do for that holiday in US? Are you still playing football? I am playing football everyday. My family is very well. How is your family? I do not know what ice skating is. Maybe Taylor can tell me. Is there snow? I am praying for you and that you visit me soon."

SURPRISE!!!! I am coming to visit. I haven't told him in any letters because a.) I want to surprise him and b.) I would be there before he got the letter and c.) I don't want to distract him from his schoolwork. 

When I am back from my trip, I will write a long post all about Gilbert. I would like to include photos of his family, his home, his classroom, his friends. I don't have those yet, but I will shortly.

I do have some adorable photos of Gilbert from my past two visits.....

Happy Monday y'all!

2007 Very first time meeting

Sitting with classmates in 2007

Learning different hand shakes

Beating my Temple Run and Fruit Ninja high score

Still learning how to smile for a photo

Playing drums on the iPad

With my high school soccer jersey

New backpack :)

Teaching Rukiga dance in a school classroom

Behind his Grandmother and in front of Obadiah

With fellow classmates at New Times School

Singing in church in 2007

(borrowed this video from a Youtube search)

Gilbert,

 We love you and I will see you soon!

Now praying for a letter from Bibian. This sweet little face I have yet to meet.

Kids Say the Best Things

Today's post is short and oh so sweet.

One of the lovely ladies my mother works with has two children, Hailey (8) and Georgie (5). Last year, Hailey & Georgie each bought me brand-new shiny regulation-sized soccer balls to take to Rubanda. Good news Hailey & Georgie! Those soccer balls went to some very, very happy kids.

When Hailey & Georgie's mom told them that I was returning to Uganda, they were very excited again. They love looking at my photographs and talking with their mom about the students. This story so captivates their innocent little hearts. 

This was Georgie's response to my last post:

"Okay mom, you have to give Tiffanie this blanket!" (holding up one of his blankets)

"Georgie, it is very hot in Uganda right now because it is their summer. They would not know what to do with a blanket."
(meaning, they would not need it at this time because of the weather)  

"Well, Mom (very sternly now and putting his foot down!) Then you just tell Kim that she needs to stand up and tell them how to use it! (showing his mom) You take the corners like this and then you wrap it around your body like this and then you stay all warm inside like this."

Duhhhhhhhhh!

This is my favorite thing ever. Georgie, you have a golden heart my friend. Somewhere special in the world, you are going to make a large impact. 

Knowing that children in Chicago are growing servant hearts for Uganda brings tears to my eyes. This little boy, 6 years old, was immediately affected by this story in a very concrete, simple way. I can imagine what practical thoughts ran through his tiny mind: If they don't have clothes, buy them some! If they don't have food, cook them dinner! If they aren't in school, get them on the bus! 

6 year old boy at New Times School

  

Georgie is right! Sometimes you just need to stand up.

You Are A Hero.

So many amazing and wonderful people have found this blog and have asked me for other ways to help. To all of your generous souls, I thank you a thousand times over! Your daily thoughts are with the children that I love. My heart swells enormously and I feel so, so warm when I think about that! It means more than the world to me that you would take the time to offer even more help. You are so, so loved. Your love never goes unnoticed. The tiny souls in my photographs pray for you each night. They know how special you are and they love you.

So, you have asked and I will answer: I do need more help!!

Here are some things that I need to bring with me. I will probably max out at 250 lbs because of AA's ridiculous luggage rules. That is still A LOT of stuff and I have plenty of room left in my boxes! Feel free to call me 312.860.7003 if you have any of these items and I will pick them up ASAP and at your convenience.

Light jackets/sweatshirts/sweaters/fleece

Manual pencil sharpeners

New girl's underwear

Crocs, Knock-off Crocs, Similar rubber shoes

Nail clippers

Basic home first aid things such as Band-Aids, hydrogen peroxide, Cortisone 10 cream, Neosporin

Water shoes work too! No socks needed, perfect!

Sandals with straps and good rubber soles

Any and all gently used children's sneakers!

Long/modest girls skirts all sizes for toddlers-teens

Thin, paper children's books. Hard covers need not apply :) These are for me to read to children during down time or for small group reading instruction. I have 4-5 packed right now, the more the merrier! All children love story time!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

or should I say.....

WEBARE WEBARE WEBARE MUNONGA!

(This is not my photo. Found this one on Pinterest)

* Soles for Ugandan Souls *

Princess

I always say I got my brains from my father but my heart from my mother. I truly do believe the amount of passion and love I have for complete strangers is a hereditary trait embedded in my DNA because of her.

My mother completely dedicated her entire life to her three children. My father had a more practical parenting style--get good grades so you can get into a good university so you can get a good job so you can have a good life. And he's not wrong, necessarily. Those are really, really important goals to instill in your children. But my mom, she taught me how to find the thing I love most in the world and make a career out of it.

If I went to my mom today and told her I was moving to Antarctica to study polar bears in the ice caps, and I was serious about it, she'd support me. When I told her I wanted to go to Uganda when I was a junior in high school, I bet she felt that would be the same as moving to Antarctica to live in an igloo. We really knew nothing about Uganda at that time, nor how safe it would be for a teen girl. She didn't say yes, but she didn't say no.

I bet you would assume that I had to spend days and days begging my mom to allow me to go. I really don't remember it that way. I don't remember asking her about it more than a few times. I think that what I had asked my mom, the weight of that question, only needed to be asked once. Mom, can I please go to Uganda? Knowing my mom and knowing how much my mom loves me, she wouldn't be happy saying no to that. Because that was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that, no matter how scary, she would never take away from me. She's a super hero.

It gets better. My dad did not want to send his 17 year old daughter to Africa. It wasn't safe, it was too far, I'd get sick, it's expensive, I can't call home, I'm too young, etc. Because I wasn't 18 and my parents shared joint custody, I needed both of their written consent to leave the country alone. My father wouldn't allow it. So what did my mom do?

She bought two tickets.

Now, if you know my mom, you're as shocked to read this as I was. She was going to sleep in a sleeping bag?! I have lived 23 years without even seeing my mother's hair wet. She's the kind of mom that makes you wear socks on hotel carpet and never, ever touches the bedspread. I still cannot believe, to this day, that my mother agreed to go to Uganda with me, having absolutely no prior knowledge or understanding of what she was getting herself into, purely because I wanted to go.

I won't lie and say that it was a really, really easy experience. It was our first experience, so it was a learning experience. We over-packed and packed too cautiously, but we didn't know what we were going to need. My mom thought of everything from garbage bags to baby wipes for impromptu bathing to a pharmacy of over-the-counter meds and the infamous Z-packs.

I have to tell you, she was a champion. Anything the trip threw at us, she took care of. The (very subtle) earthquake that woke up the children in the middle of the night. The one-lane but two-way traffic mud roads wrapping around mountainsides that were more than terrifying (these are now beautifully paved, wide roads!) The centipedes and salamanders in our beds. The "spa" she created out of a plastic lawn chair to shampoo and rinse all of our hair. She made all of the girls feel so much safer because she was there with us.

While we were staying in Mbarara the children were in awe of my mother. Maybe it was her enormous blonde hair or her freshly French manicures nails. They had never seen a white lady like my mother. They called her Princess and treated her as one. They wanted to touch her hair. When food was ready for eating we could not eat until Princess was at her seat at the head of the table. She was so, so loved. The house mamas still ask about my mother every time I see them. The children, now six years older, have never forgotten her name. How is Kim? And where is Kim? Is Kim you're mother? When will Kim come to me again? I pray for Kim.

I hope that my mom thinks of that trip as one of the best experiences of her life. She made girlfriends and exchanged addresses. She held babies and held hands. She wiped noses and did construction work. She got down on her knees in the dirt and planted trees. She (a thirty-five year vegetarian) watched a cow get slaughtered for a community event. She visited Gilbert and loved on him as if he was her own son.

There was one thing that my mother could not handle in Uganda. One thing that was very difficult for her. It was the suffering we saw in some of the women's faces. In some of the children along the roads. I could see the expressions on her face change as we passed people along the roads. I could see the tears welling in her eyes so often.

In the cities, young children beg for money. It is frowned upon (And for some good reasons. For example, to teach children the importance of schooling and earning money instead of learning to rely on begging and the streets as a form of living where they are not safe and learn other bad habits), but to my mother that was a child. She can not say no to a child in need. I knew what thoughts were running through her head because they were running through mine. Where is her mother? Where does she live? We need to buy her food. And shoes. And a new dress. And give her a bath and take her to a clinic for a check-up. We need to find her parents or a social worker or find an orphanage that can take her in. She needs a jacket, it's getting cold. Why does she have a cut on her head? Where did she come from? What is your name? How old are you? How long have you been this way? Who is supposed to be watching you? What is her story? I knew what she was thinking because I was thinking it too: This would never happen in America. And we felt so defeated.

My mother cared deeply for all those tiny faces. But she also had a soft spot for all of the women. All of those beautiful, hard-working mothers. I think my mother loved the women because she saw herself in them. She was a mother too. And she couldn't imagine how hard it must be for some mothers in the world. Mothers who have dedicated their entire lives to feeding and clothing their children. Women who gaze into the tiny faces, the faces that they see parts of themselves in, and think: What will his future be? Am I doing a good job? Women who have been left to do it all alone. When I think about how similar they are, how very, very similar they are, it makes me realize how very important each and every one of the world's mothers are.

I sure got lucky with mine.

How to Teach Extravagantly with Less Extravagant Resources

I. AM. SO. EXCITED.

I am going to be teaching at New Times School.

Kindergarten.

Here are some quick photos I took last year of a New Times Kindergarten classroom.

Like honestly, could I be any luckier?

I get to do what I love with the most gorgeous tiny faces. And their hearts are hungry to learn!

So here's my ultimate question. How am I going to teach 50 young students who are learning English? We have a chalkboard. We have pencils. We have paper. We have spirit.

I've come up with a list of lesson ideas to show that you can effectively teach English language learners with limited supplies. All materials will be traveling with me.


1. Math Facts Tag

What you need: Popsicle sticks, pencil

Preparation: The first Popsicle stick will be the "starter stick." On the left side of the stick draw a star to indicate this is the beginning of the game. On the right side, write an unfinished math equation. For example, "2+2." On the next stick you will write the answer to this equation on the left side. For example, "4." On the right side, write a new equation. Each stick that follows must have the answer to the previous stick's equation on its left side. This creates a "train."

How it Works: Pass out Popsicle sticks to all the children. The student with the "starter stick" begins by reading out loud "Two plus two is....." and the student who has "4" on their stick will say... "Two plus two is four." Then they will read the new equation on the right side of their stick and the train continues until all the Popsicle sticks have been used and all the children have solved a math problem.

Bonus! This game can be played by sitting in your seats and reciting the train out loud. It could also be played outside by having children tag each other when their stick is called. This game can also be used to teach the ABCs. Have the starter stick read "A is for apple." The next student to speak should be holding the "B is banana stick."

Benefits: Reteaches math concepts, students practice their listening skills, students learn about sequence.

2. Pictionary with English vocabulary

What you need: Chalk, paper scraps

Preparation: On scraps of paper write grade-appropriate vocabulary words. This works best for K-2 graders learning English. Things to write on the scraps could be: dog, house, school, flag, pencil, garden, water, bedtime, moon, cow, airplane, car, light, book, etc. Fold up the pieces of paper and put them in a hat/bowl/jar/box/your hand.

How it works: Each child will get a chance to pull a piece of paper. They will read their word to themselves and share it with the teacher. Then they will draw the word on the chalkboard. Students will raise their hands to guess what word the student is drawing. When it has been discovered, the teacher writes the word on the right side of the board. Keep a running list of these vocab words so students can write them all down after the activity has ended.

Bonus! At the end of the game, if there are still pictures drawn all over the chalkboard, have students create a story using those words. For example, if there are pictures of a banana, a house, a monkey, and the sun---encourage students to raise their hand to tell you a story using the images.

Benefits: Reteaches English vocabulary, reading instruction, spelling & writing.

3. Alphabet/Number Race

What you need: Post-Its, pencil

Preparation: One each Post-It, write a large letter A-Z. If you have more than 26 students, begin write numbers on the Post-Its. For example, if you have 35 students, you will need A-Z and 1-9.

How It Works: Pass out the Post-Its to your students (don't pass the letters out in alphabet order, scramble them up!) You can either ask them to hold the Post-It in their hands for friends to see our maybe it will stick to the front of their T-shirts. Outside, have the students spread out. The student who got letter A will stand behind the teacher. All the other students will unscramble themselves, placing themselves in alphabetical order and numerical order. When they believe they are done, have them recite their letters down the line to check.

Bonus! Time the students to see how quickly they can complete the task. Try to improve that time each round. Offer a reward such as playing a game of tag or Duck, Duck, Goose afterwards before going back to the classroom.

Benefits: Sequence, team building, cooperation, listening/speaking skills, strengthens memory

4. Fraction Pizzas
* You may need to explain to students what a pizza is before continuing. :)

What you need: Colored construction paper, scissors, pencil

Preparation: Cut all the construction paper pieces into equally sized large circles. Cut the red pizzas into halves. Cut the green pizzas into quarters. Cut the blue pizzas into eighths. Write the fraction on each slice.

How It Works: Explain to the students its time to have a pizza party! The object of the game is for students to make whole pizzas. Each students gets a few of the cut slices. Make sure they get a variety of slices. They walk around the room with classmates and try to make one whole pizza. They will realize that 1/4 is half of 1/2, etc. Write the expressions of each whole piece on the board. For example: 1/2 + 1/4 + 2/8 = 1 whole

Bonus! As an extension let students create their own pizzas. With scraps of construction paper students can put mushrooms, peppers, cheese on their pizzas. This is a nice way to introduce different foods from around the world.

Benefits: Fraction work, learning about Part/Whole relationships, collaboration, activity-based

5. Dice Games

Invest in multiple sets of dice or decks of cards and you will have infinite opportunities to play math games. You can teach all operations, patterns and probability.

6. Small Group Dry-Erase Boards

Invest in 5 or 6 dry erase boards and Expo markers. While another teacher is teaching a lesson to the class, pull groups of students outside to work with you in a small group setting. You can use the dry erase boards in lots of ways. To teach handwriting, sight words, math facts, cursive, number writing, etc. Have students work alone or in groups to solve math problems. Have them work together to write sentences and then use all the group's sentences to write a story together. Get creative. Children will LOVE the privilege of using the boards and absorb the lesson like a sponge.

7. I Spy a Sight Word


What you need: Index cards, tape, stick/ruler

Prepartion: On the index cards write sight words appropriate for the grade level. For example, here is a list of Kindergarten sight words: I, go, see, what, me, he, she, we, they, who, me, am, a, an, any, because, but, also. Examples of third grade sight words: around, before, beneath, afterwards, etc. Place the index cards all the over the room. Tape them to desks, the floor, the chalkboard, upper corners, window, cleaning, even a student or your own forehead!

How It Works: The teacher will say "I spy with my little eye......"me!" The students will silently point to the index card that reads "me." The teacher will then point to it with the stick and say, "Yes! You found ME. M - E spells me." And they will recite it together, "Me!" And you continue. The students will be excited to find the words in hidden places.

Bonus! Challenge them by using sight words for the next grade level.

Benefits: Reading sight words, memory, spelling, recitation, activity-based, listening skills

8. My Little Editors

What you need: chalk, paper, pencils

Preparation: On the board each morning write a short story. Write a story about your classmates, the school, a book they read the day before, etc. Grab their attention. BUT. Fill your story with incorrect spelling, grammar and punctuation.

How It Works: Students will rewrite the story at their seats correctly. They will fix the errors by being "editors."

Benefits: Grammar, punctuation, spelling, reading, writing skills

9. Writing in the Dirt Spelling Bee!

What you need: a stick or fingers!

Preparation: None

How it Works: Find a sandy patch of ground. Have students write vocab, spelling or sight words. Obviously, this can be done at the chalkboard or with paper/pencil but sometimes students need a change of scenery or like trying something new. Kids love to get dirty anyways.

Benefits: Spelling, memory, reinforce concepts, writing

10. What's For Lunch? Food chain Game

* This lesson is for 4th grade and up. It is used in science class to teach food webs, survival, predator/prey, competition, etc.

What you need: Index cards, pencil

Preparation: One the index write the names of organisms. Make sure you have a wide variety of carnivores, omnivores, herbivores and decomposers. For example, write "salmon," "mushroom," "ant," "lion."

How It Works: Students mingle around the room with their index cards. When the teacher yells "What's for lunch!" they pair up with someone closest to them. Then they must decide who is the predator and who is the prey in their encounter. The prey sits down because he was eaten or killed. The predator continues. All of the students standing at the end of the game should have deadly predators such as tiger, lion, alligator, polar bear, rhino, etc. because no one could kill them--they are at the top of the food chain.

Bonus! Talk about where the students think humans belong on the food chain. This is a debate, welcome all ideas. Talk about how a human can shoot a lion, for example, but is not stronger or fiercer than a lion. So are humans are the top of the food chain????

Benefits: reteach science vocabulary, introduce new concepts, explore food chain interactively

Other quick activity ideas:
 Acrostic poems
Rhyming games
Flash cards
Dictionary work
Math Tic Tac Toe
Vocabulary Hang Man
Write a timeline
Synonym/Antonym games
5 Finger Retell (first, then, next, last, author's message)
Learn about both countries flag (colors, meaning) draw/color/paint them...make a garland for the room
Write a letter thanking the Principal
Draw fractions
Meausure things around the school
Math puzzles
Write word problems for a friend
Convert Ugandan shillings into US dollars
Face paint to make characters for a play, retelling a story read in class
Sing songs, write songs pertaining to a lesson
Talk about diversity
Learn about snow :)
Paint handprints on giant paper for classroom with students names inside them
Archaeological dig for artifacts/fossils
Venn Diagram of Uganda vs. America
Classroom Read Alouds
Counting our friends
Make carbon copies of random objects (example, prints of leaves) with paint or pencil rubbings
Convert Celsius to Farenheit
Metric system conversions
Meausure volume with water
Compare river water to bottled water
DANCE & SING