More Memories

Wow!  I am not sure where the past 4 months have gone.  This year is flying!  Below you will find some snapshots of some of the memories that have been made in my classroom since my last entry.  I hope it won't take me another 4 months to give an update!  

 My students created some interesting giants to write stories about.

 Merry Christmas

It feels a bit like July when Christmas is celebrated here...wait a minute it kind of always feels like July temperature-wise anyhow.

This past week my class went on a field trip to the Phnom Tamao Zoo.  My class really enjoyed the trip.  Many of them saw animals they had never seen before.

 Monkeys like the one above roamed around freely.  While they may be cute...unfortunately one of my boys had his snack stolen right out of his hand...hence the big smiles and shocked face in the picture below.

 Isaac found the exoskeleton of a rather large python.

 Worn out bunch from all the walking in the heat...made for a welcomed quiet trip back to school...so many fell asleep!

As I reflect on the past year and half, I am so grateful for so many things.  I am grateful for this opportunity God has given me to teach some incredible students.  It has been a joy to share His love with them.  I am also grateful for the daily guidance and wisdom He has given me with access to limited resources.  There may be no textbooks, technology, or sometimes even power...but He has helped me every step of the way.  I am looking forward to seeing what He has planned for the next four months with my amazing class!  

First 30 days in Fourth Grade

I cannot believe I have already finished 6 weeks of teaching in this new school year.  The time is flying!  It has been a great 6 weeks so far.  I looped up to fourth grade with my class so I have 11 of the same students and 7 new students.  

 My Fourth Grade Class

 Getting ready to plant green bean seeds

 Looks like I have some green thumbs in my class!

 Our plants were thriving until the birds found them.  David felt that they needed a scarecrow...hence the snowman. : )

 I recently read One Thousand Gifts (excellent book by the way if you haven't read it) by Ann Voskamp and decided to apply what I learned with my class this year.  I have challenged my class to collectively make a list of 1,000 Gifts (what they are thankful for) throughout the school year.  We already have 200 on our list so far.  Below are some of the gifts mentioned.

3.  Food that we eat.
20.  God gives us wisdom.
34.  The joy in our hearts.
67.  The sun gives us light.
87.  Books to read
128.  We have a Bible to read.  

I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing what my students are thankful for each day.  It is really an amazing way to start each day! 

6th Year Complete

My 6th year of teaching has come to an end.  Yay!  I made it!  It is so difficult for me to believe the year is over.  As I reflect on the year, I am grateful for God's faithfulness, guidance, grace, and protection during my first year in Cambodia.  This has truly been an eye opening and stretching experience.  I am so thankful God has given me the opportunity to teach here, and I am looking forward to another year with my class as I will be looping up with them to Grade 4.  

I had my students answer quite a few questions on the last day of school.  Below are a few of their responses.


Question:  What word would you use to describe Grade 3?
My favorite response came from Isaac.  "Marbles"  (translation = marvelous)


Messages to me...


Have a nice weekend and don't forget to come to school in August.  (This one made me laugh!)


Dear Miss Verdi thank you for telling us about Jesus and teaching us math, and telling us lots of things we don't know.  Love Hogi

 Yay!  We are finished with Grade 3!

 My three sweet girls playing Memory.

 Some of my boys enjoying a game of UNO.

 Vocable (It is just like Scrabble.)

 Beautiful girls with their beautiful butterflies

 Sothun and his owl

 Isaac drew some amazing insects.

 Last Day of Grade 3

 Ice Cream Party

  

 

Making Memories

  

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

My class made paper mâché globes after learning all the continents and oceans.

Deborah reading to a couple girls in Grade 1.

 

Buddy Reading during Book Week

 

  

Treat for Fun Friday - Dirt Cups

 

They loved eating "dirt".

 

  

End of the Year Production - A play about Noah's Ark

 

I love hearing these precious children sing!

Memorable March

 My students spend two hours each day learning their native language (Khmer).

Nakru Panha (above) and Lokru Savda (below) are the teachers for these classes.

 

My girls playing with the hula hoops at recess.

  

The picture above is one of the reasons this post is labeled "Memorable March".  They are thoroughly enjoying a pizza party they earned after everyone in the class finally made a 100 on their Spelling test.  

 

  

My class goes to Logos (my school's sister school) once a week for a formal P.E. class.

 

My students finished up learning about the planets by creating these masterpieces. 

It is so hard for me to believe the school year is coming to an end.  There are only 28 days of school left this year!  As I reflect on this year, I am thrilled to see the progress my students have made.  It has been an absolute joy and privilege to teach students who are so eager to learn and grow.  I am thankful God has given me this opportunity, and I give Him all the glory for all the obstacles that have been overcome and accomplishments that have been made in my class.  I am proud of my students and eager to see how He is going to use each one of them.