Term 3

First week of school is complete and I think it will be a good term. I did a little reset in that I am making them line up outside the door, quietly. If they start talking, not getting to task in a timely fashion then I make them all go back outside, be quiet, and try again. I repeat this until they know I am serious about not talking unless it is time to talk. It’s not perfect yet, but after the first week, the class is listening much better.

We also reviewed the class rules which are Three B’s: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready. These are very simple, but they cover most classroom behaviors. We reviewed these extensively and created consequences for them. Last term, the consequences followed the school policy of writing up transgressions with 3 earning the learner school detention. I could never tell if any of my learners served detention, so I changed the consequences this term to be more timely and in my control.

Now, if they are not respectful, to me, the class, themselves, whatever, they must write a minimum of a 100-word essay (my discretion for the length) about how they were disrespectful and how they can change their behavior. If they are not being responsible (eating in class, writing on the table, leaning in chairs, etc.), then they must clean countertops, sweep the floor, and other light classroom tasks during the break. If they are not ready (no textbook, paper, pen, homework) then it’s a waste of time so they must give up their own time with after school detention in my class. Obviously, there can be overlap in the violations such as not being ready is also not being responsible and ultimately not being respectful, but I am the teacher and have the final say!

Friday, I attended another fun event with my colleague Claudia and her family. She invited me to watch her children’s play to be performed at the “Old Age Home”, her term. It turned out to be so much fun! The home is run by the Lutheran Church and there are multiple Lutheran churches in Otjiwarongo. Claudia explained that they often use the retirement home as a site for fund raising, with the funds going to the church and to the home. Friday’s event included a lunch and a Braii (BBQ) dinner, live and recorded music, the play by the local German kindergarten, a bouncy fun house for the kids, a raffle, snacks, beer and wine throughout the day.

The short play was adorable with Claudia’s son outdoing himself as the ‘mean’ king and her younger daughter as one of the maids in waiting. The facility has a very open courtyard with a garden fountain, beautiful plantings and accessible to all. There were young and old and every age in between and it went on for hours. Claudia explained that it is difficult to transport the elders and they would have to leave early if it’s held at another location. This way, everyone can stay as little or as long as they want, and the elders help staff can enjoy it too. Simply lovely.