School

Week two completed. The students came back to school with bright smiley faces all ready to learn. I love it when the kids come back relaxed and ready to begin a new year. Several people have inquired about my job, curriculum, and various other components of my occupation. I am a licensed teacher-librarian for grades k-12 and have actually been teaching students in information literacy for nine years. Although the curriculum is different in Zambia, the skills taught are similar.

I have classes in the library with 3 year olds all the way up to 5th graders. Each class attends once a week where they learn skills such as taking care of books, parts of a book, finding reliable materials, learning about genres, citing sources, navigating databases, note-taking, assessing information, and much much more. Yes, I also read to them and discuss books although this is not the only thing a librarian does these days. I am an voracious reader and try to share my love of reading through numerous activities and discussions. In addition to meeting each class once a week, I work with two grades intensely during a particular inquiry unit. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program(PYP) has specific units of inquiry that the students invest themselves in for approximately a 6-8 week period. There are numerous units per grade throughout the year where children investigate such topics as "How the World Works," or "Who We Are," it is much more in depth that what I can write. During the scheduled inquiry unit, I meet with each class in the classroom once a week and the second weekly time the tech coordinator and myself work together with the students and teacher in the classroom. Together, we assist the students in the process and product ensuring each child progresses on skills in information literacy and technology according to standards. This is in addition to my library classes.

In the library classes, I have attempted to incorporate assorted techniques and tools to keep kids engaged in the process. One of the techniques is something called Genius Hour. I have collaborated with several teachers on this during the past 3 years and have some interest in it at AISL. I am excited to share this technique with other educators. I also use tools such as Kahoot or Socrative for simple pre-assessments as well as love to Mysteryskype and utilized Breakoutedu for building team skills.

The library itself is quite large and beautiful. It is one library shared by all the students in the school. there is a division of the younger students section versus the older students but neither side is forbidden to the other. We have a Lego wall and kits, a fish tank complete with a turtle, a "tree house" where students can climb into a loft like structure and comfortably read or work, numerous clear boards where students may write or draw on ( like a whiteboard), we also have a small corner with couches and a coffee maker for older students, teachers, and parents to relax and chat or read and work. Recently we were gifted a giant Connect Four game. The purpose of this stuff is for exploration, problem-solving, and collaboration.

In addition to myself as the PYP teacher librarian, there is the MYP (middle year) DP ( diploma) teacher librarian who also hails from NH! She is an incredible resource of energy and information and has made the transition to Zambia incredibly easy for me. There are also two library assistants who  are helpful, kind, and work well with everyone who enters the library.

In addition to the beautiful library, we have a spectacular campus set on 25 acres of land. We can eat outside every day if we like and oftentimes classes will be held outside. Quite a difference from NH! I am still learning a lot and am embracing the challenges that are placed before me.
Be well,
Jill ( Noisy Librarian)

Daley life

It feels like we have been here forever but then again only moments. Settling into the lifestyle is relatively easy as long as you realize things will take much longer than anticipated. Since that is the lifestyle and expectation, it quickly becomes part of your persona. Things get done and goals achieved but in a much calmer less hurried way. Work hard play hard seems to be the motto.

The students will begin school on Tuesday and I eagerly await their arrival. With over 40 nationalities attending the school, I am nervous about remembering their names as well as pronouncing them correctly! I will have students in a library class as well as in inquiry units where I spend time in the classroom with them and the tech integrator. I am looking forward to learning the curriculum.

One of the things I have been trying to learn is the flora and fauna that live near my house. I finally saw a monkey when I visited the horse farm just down the road. Sadly, the phone was not on hand to snap a pic. There are numerous birds that are stunning but don't stay long enough to me to get a good photo. Many species are very similar to the birds in NH. There is a little bright green bird that reminds me of the goldfinch back home. Another stunning bird, I have tried to photograph, has a brilliant blue strip on the wing and a long flowing tail.

Isaac, this picture is for you. I haven't gotten the flattie yet but thought you might find interest in this unique character. It is a bug that is shaped like the letter "y." It stays in my carport on the wall. I haven't seen it move or fly but thought you might think it neat.

The elevation in Lusaka is 4.190' whereas Plainfield is 522', quite a difference for me. I find myself gulping water all day long to avoid headaches. All the water we consume or cook with is bottled. At this elevation, cooking becomes interesting. I am learning how to add more liquids to baking and less time in the oven. The cooking of rice has escaped me, but I will try again. We do have nshima, the local staple, which is akin to grits, but I have not made it yet. We stick to a lot of stir fried veggies.

I walk to and from school everyday and also try to walk a bit after school. I meet and greet a lot of people during these journeys and everyone is unbelievably friendly. Occasionally we catch the sunset during our walks and they truly are gorgeous. I tried to catch one but it isn't as spectacular as some I have seen. Another curiosity are the stars. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, I have not seen anything that I can identify. It is another goal of mine to learn some of the constellations on this part of the earth.

I am eager to begin school tomorrow morning, and most likely, my next post will discuss my first adventurous week with students.
Be well,
Jill (Noisy Librarian)