Virtual Classroom.

Yesterday, I FINALLY got to "meet" Ms. Dalimonte's 3rd grade class in Jacksonville, NC--and it was all done VIRTUALLY. It was an experience that I will never forget.

We met at 2:00 EST (which is 6:00pm in Ghanaian time), through Skype. For the first 30 minutes, or so, it was more of "Radio-show time with Carly in Ghana", as we had difficulty configuring the video cameras on both ends. But, toward the end of our session, the video cameras worked and I got to see "my class" for the first time! The kids are so cute. I just love them all, already. As soon as they saw my face appear on the screen, it felt like a wave of joy and excitement swept across their classroom. The smile on my face grew ever so widely, and I grew contagious with laughter, as I watched the children squeeze in front of the camera, each hoping to be seen all the way across the Atlantic Ocean.

The students had prepared questions for our "conference", each of them introducing themselves before reading his/her own question. Here are some of the questions they asked:
1) Do Ghanaians have a choice to shave their heads?
2) Do they wash their hair? (This one was apparently asked because of the noted water shortage)
3) What exactly IS grass-cutter?
4) Do you like playing soccer with the kids?
5) Are the monkeys trained to peel the bananas?
6) How do you eat fufu? (Haha, good question)
7) Are there TVs in Ghana?
8) Is it windy, or is it always hot?
9) What kind of food do you eat besides fufu?
10) Do the children get report cards there?
11) What is the population in Ghana? Is Accra crowded?
12) Do you have A/C?
13) Do you read books for your classes there?
14) How rare is it to see a whirling rainbow/sunbow?

The students asked some very creative questions, some even stumped me! Thank you, class, and please, keep the questions coming.

Mrs. Dalimonte told me that her class was going to cook "banana-chocolate chunk pancakes" with peanut butter, on Friday, as a part of their cooking lesson. The kids might even get to try goat meat soon, as one of the parents has a connection (crazy, I know!). I think that this sort of integrated learning is SO exciting.

I gave the class a challenge: to try to brainstorm and come up with the 10 countries in that world that are 4 letters long (this is something that we did to pass time one day here in Ghana).

Mrs. Dalimonte encouraged her students to write letters to Mary and Sarah, and hopefully Mary and Sarah will be able to correspond with the class. Cathy told me she would take a photo of her 3rd grade class, so I can post it on my blog. Check back soon! I look forward to meeting with all of you next week.

Until then, Medase (thank you, in Twi)!