0730 The bell goes and the day starts with Grade 6-1 more Tangram working. The kids look like they are getting closer to finishing the manufacture stage and moving on to the design phase with some kids starting to paint and shape their tangrams. Though a few kids seem to think if they don't make it right they can just throw it away and restart. I have allowed this on this occassion though it goes against the grain ! These kids have never had the chance to make something before and mistakes are expected and common place. However their chance for consistant failure will end with this project. it will be interesting to read their evaluations and reflections to see if they realize the waste they are producing (I have kept all the off cuts and will use it to demonstrate a point at the end of the project.) It was IBM who said we fail more often to succeed sooner and its that theory I am trying to use in this first manufacturing project.
0815 Next period and its a free period I start working on a small wooden vase I am going to make with grade 6 in April. It is fairly simple design should be quite quick to do and looks effective.
0900 Another free and I check out the work of the next class due in, making sure they have everything they need.
0945 Its break time, due to the short periods there is no Mentor time so while the kids sit out on the field I wander up to the staff room to get a coffee.
10.15 My final class for the day another grade 6 and the same scenario more waste but both classes have been very good working away and when told to stop to tidy up they actually went and got the brushes to clean down the machines without being told. Maybe I am finally getting to see some reward for the weeks of spoon feeding.
1100 My third free period but this one is spent tidying up the classroom putting away anything that has been misplaced.
1145 Final period of the day and I check mail, do some surfing and generally relax before leaving early to go eat prior to my Lunch Duty. I had Rice for the main meal and the sweet they offered today was..... Rice - I am beginning to hate Rice.
1230 My Lunch Duty has me standing outside the Community Hall where everyone eats. My task is to only allow 10 kids through at a time, so the finger print queue isnt too long (Yes we electronically finger print every one coming in for lunch). While the rest of the kids queue I wander around enforcing uniform policy, shirts tucked in, baseball caps (Which seem to have appeared overnight) are off and collar buttons are done up.
1330 Its time for the afternoon meeting, after a short chat about the upcoming "Familes Day" I then sit and listen to one of the teachers reps who is explaining in spanish the fact that all teachers need to read the new (well the latest version will be sent out tomorrow)Statutes for teachers, since if we dont follow the code laid out we could be sacked, or sued by the pupils for improper teaching.. Around this point I felt like I could just curl up and go to sleep. Beurocracy is alive and well and raising its ugly head in Bogota.
1500 yes the meeting about statutes ran on that long, though I'll be honest I was sitting doing some jewellery and craft design ideas for use with future projects. However the last hour was spent trying to figure out why our gas points around the classrooms were blowing AIR not GAS not the expected outcome when you turn on the gas to the Bunsen Burner and hold a lit match over the top expecting a burst of flame but only watching the match being put out. we eventually ran out of ideas and time.. so will look further tomorrow.
1600 On a Wednesday they provide mini buses at 1600 to take us back. So I was actually back only a few minutes after I would usually be since the mini bus goes direct and doesnt drop off at every street corner.
The final image is a view of the centre of Bogota on the Monday March day. The number of people taking part is variously reported as between 500000 and 2 million !
From this photo you can see the larger figure is perhaps more likely.
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