This week began by learning about the country of Senegal. The children made their own original Senegal sandals. They drew pictures on them, added their favorite colors of fabric, and the older children also tried tying the fabric. As soon as they were finished, they took off their indoor shoes and socks, put on their sandals, and ran around the classroom so happily!
On Tuesday, we learned about Liberia. The students made an instrument called “saasaa” which are like maracas. The students made the saasaa and wrapped strings with beads around them. We could make sounds by shaking them or rubbing them. They all made such nice instruments and sounds. In the afternoon, we tried to copy the hand-clapping game which Liberian children play. They paired up with a friend and tried to play the hand-clapping game. It was so much fun!
On Wednesday, we learned about Singapore. A friend who had been to Singapore brought a flag to school. We made Merlions using plastic bottles and when we squeezed the bottle, it squirted out water. It wasn’t supposed to be our Water Play day, but it nearly turned into one! Makiko’s friend gave us some kaya jam, which is a common spread in Singapore. We spread it on pieces of toast and ate them. It was a new taste for most of the children, but some friends said, “I have never tasted such delicious jam!” while eating. Everyone loved Singaporean kaya jam!
On Friday while we learned about Benin, we watched “ghost dances” and made capes using lots of fabric to cover ourselves from head to toe. Although at first everyone said that sticking on so much fabric was difficult, they didn’t give up and stuck on a lot. After the glue dried, a few friends in the afternoon dressed up as ghosts and walked around the classroom. In the afternoon, we all made drums—different from the ones we made last time—and they produced quite nice sounding rhythms…
