In the classroom, I explained that the object of the activity would be to revise poetic devices and to write their own poems about the world around them using what they’d been learning. After revising some of the poetic devices used in others’ poems, I handed each group an object from my random collection and told them that the classroom would be the (hitherto) out-of-bounds grass quadrangle. The response, at first, was a mixture of bewilderment and nervous giggling.
After reassurance from their teacher that they wouldn’t get into trouble for leaving the classroom and sitting on the grass, they made their way to the quadrangle.
There each group sat, silently engaged in their work, stopping occasionally to see how their objects, junk from around the premises, fitted into their world. The results were astonishing and Penninah was amazed that by forcing the students out of the comfort zone of their noisy, cramped classroom, they had become more focussed and thoughtful.
The simplicity of the equipment dictated by the school’s lack of resources (by Western standards) and an approach I’d used in the UK came together well, and at the same time provided the teacher and students the opportunity to appreciate the power of the natural world as a teaching and learning aid.
Returning to the UK after that first two-week visit was difficult. More than difficult. I’d seen people struggling to get by on very little from day to day, professionally and otherwise. Any issues with my own finances and professional life suddenly seemed insignificant. The trip had allowed me to get back in touch with the basic craft of teaching and had provided me with the chance to reassess many priorities in my life. It is for this reason, combined with the openness and friendliness of the people I met that first year, that I keep on going back.
T.S. Ó Ceallaigh is a Teacher of English Literature in west London. He is now in his sixth full year of teaching. He holds a BA in English and Geography, an MA in English Studies, a PGCE in Post-16 Education and QTS for Secondary English.
His foremost passion in life is being a citizen of the world with a particular focus on partnerships with projects in Uganda, as well as having an interest in learning more about Africa as a whole, different languages of the world and the interpretation of Islam by different cultures.
Read more personal reflections from Tomas on:
http://ayohcee.blogspot.com/
This year marks the tenth year of partnership between William Morris Sixth Form and Kigezi High School. The project is now run through All Our Children (UK). For more information visit:
http://allourchildren.org.uk