É assim…

Sunset in Nacala
After too many fails this is what we ended up with.

Not too much has happened since my last post, just realizing that mid-trimester is full of work, work, and more work.
I have finally started the science fair project that I have been looking forward to for a long time. So far I have taught the kids the scientific method, had them choose their topics, develop their questions, and write their hypotheses. One of the best things I did was recruit two Mozambican science teachers to help me: Egas, a math and physics teacher, and Consula, a chemistry teacher. What I have learned so far is that even though my Portuguese is good enough to teach and converse, it is not good enough to know what some of the kid’s ideas are. Here’s a highlight from our last meeting: I asked a kid what he had in mind for his project, he responded using about 15 words I have never heard of, I nod trying to disguise my perplexed face, pass the idea on to Egas and Consula, and then add as many of those words I can remember to my ‘words to look up’ list. The goal is to hold our school science fair at the end of July and have the winners compete in a regional science fair in August. Some of their ideas are pretty impressive, and I can’t wait to see what they can do!
Esther has been giving Ana Paula, one of our colleagues, English lessons. She teaches French, has a real knack for languages, and has quickly become a good friend. She is ‘chique’ to the max and is somehow more in the loop with popular culture than we are. We invited her over for dinner one night and made a delicious Mexican meal. Fitting right? We made beef taquitos, chips and salsa, and Mexican rice, all from scratch! Those of you who know me know I’m useless in the kitchen. Thanks to Esther, this is slowly changing. I have officially mastered making tortillas and tortilla chips!!! Great skills to have.
A little over a week ago, I was really disappointed by one of my favorite 11th grade students. I had assigned my English class a dictionary project to do, he did it, and received a decent grade. Esther had also assigned her 9th graders a similar dictionary project. My 11th grader gave his dictionary to his 9th grade brother to turn in to Esther. Esther discovered my students work and gave her student a zero. I felt as though I had to make an example of this kind of cheating to my students. In the process of making an example out of one of my favorite kids, I ended up embarrassing him. I held him in after class, apologized for embarrassing him, and explained why I had to be so mean. He forgave me and we moved on. The next day, he gave me a letter he had written to apologize for his behavior. This letter confirmed why I think so highly of him. Here’s one of my favorite parts: “I like you too much, and your love is not compare with nobody. I never forget you because you are teaching good behavior, you’re affable and I say thanks.” Not sure I’ve ever been called affable before…
Here are few things I am looking forward to: Teaming up with a P.E. teacher to organize a teacher volleyball game. Some visitors: from America and other Moz volunteers. Another trip to Pemba? Esther returning from her vacation in Barcelona. Teaching my class the cha-cha slide. Mozambican teacher’s day trip to the beach. Science Fair. Starting a teacher English club.