Sixth Grade at the Show

I took my six students from my sixth grade remedial math class to the local show (carnival/fair) in Grootfontein this week. This particular class has been working so hard the past couple of terms. We have even been doing some "show" math this week. I thought it would be fun to take them to the show and to have some time to hang out and enjoy being together. They were so cute as they all walked three kms to town to meet me all dressed up and ready for some fun.

(first picture) - Let me introduce you to my sixth grade class. The boy in the blue shirt is 15 yr old Lazarus. He is a super sweet kid that doesn't smile too often but works hard and is doing good work in my class. He has really improved a lot in the past seven months. Next to him in the black shirt is 16 yr old Timo. Timo is so sweet and I absolutely adore him. He came and saw me in the copy room one day and I will never forget how amazed he was at the copy machine. Timo, out of all the boys, is the best about doing his homework on time. He tries really hard in class and it shows in his work. The boy behind Timo with the hat is 19 yr old Edukali. This boy drives me crazy but he is so funny. He was super quiet when the class first started and now he is the loudest. I realized that when he tries to do his work, he does an excellant job. I am amazed at the transformation in his personality. He is a class clown and has had to write sentances in my class may times. In the front in the yellow shirt is 14 yr old Festus. I love Festus but the boy couldn't learn math if it bit him in the face. He tries so hard but he just does not get it. I am pretty sure he is dyslexic and possibly has more learning disabilities. There are no resources here for special needs so we work slowly and there has been a little improvement. He is the "little brother" in the class and is often picked on by both the boys and the girls but he is super sweet and I adore him. In front of him in the white shirt and white hat is 15 yr old Salinde. She is quiet but fun and super sweet. She does really well in my class and is probably the most well behaved out of all of them. She loves to sit and chat with me when she finishes her work. Lastly, the girl to the right of Slinde is 11 yr old Emilie. Emilie is the brightest student in my class and could probably go back to mainstream sixth grade but I can't let her go. She is like my little sidekick and follows me all over at school. She is a great girl. I know this is a long description but I have lost my heart with this class. We are like a little family. They are so possesive and get upset when people interupt our time together. We had such a great time at the show and this coming week they will be at my house to do some cooking as a math project. I can tell you when I came to Namibia, this is the last place I thought I would be but these six kids have really touched my life!

(second picture) - Salinde and me on the Dive Bomber ride. It was super rad!

(third picture) - Emilie, Salinde and me on the Tile A Whirl ride. I enjoyed it but Emilie got really scared and we had to stop the ride so she could get off!

(fourth picture) - Edukali on the swings ride. Even at 19, he loves the littlest things!

(fifth picture) - Enjoying some cotten candy and cool drinks.

We also went on a giant blow up slide, checked out the livestock, got our faces painted, ate ice cream and looked in the booths. It was one of the best days I have ever had in Namibia!