Linking My Two Worlds
The time has finally come for me to introduce my kids in Malawi to my students in Toronto. Of course this introduction needs to be done in the form of pictures, letters and stories. I have been spending my evenings this week looking at teaching resources that are appropriate for use in my grade one classroom.
I am currently enrolled in a storytelling course. I have begun to use African folk tales as a way of inspiring my children to write and tell their own stories. The children love the stories and often ask to hear more about “that tricky hare.” What has become obvious to me is that children all over the world love to hear stories. Sometimes we in Canada get stuck on needing to read stories to our children but what I am learning this year is that children often prefer stories to be told to them. As Mabvuto repeatedly reminds me “Africa is rich with stories.” It is really motivating to know that my Toronto students share a love of story with their peers in Malawi.
As Remembrance Day approaches I am talking to my students about peace. We are discussing those things which give us a sense of peace. I am using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a way of linking peace and global education. It made me sad to read that all children have the right to a name and a nationality. How do I explain to my grade one class that some children go unnamed?
My lessons will focus on what makes children in Toronto similar to children in Malawi. We will compare our houses, our school days, our meals and what we do for recreation. It is my hope that my Toronto students will learn about children less fortunate than themselves and be inspired to show kindness when they encounter differences.
I want my children in Malawi to feel appreciated and loved. I want them to learn about a culture much different from their own and to feel a connection to those children far from them.
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