Projects galore

I realized I haven't posted much about Alice and I's school projects lately so thought I would give a quick update in that regard. This is our last week before holiday (we have the next two weeks off) and we have spent a great amount of time finalizing the projects we have planned for term 2.

• Grade 8: 
• Will spend term two focusing on health literacy and creating their own cookbook 
• They will divide into different teams (recipe writing, nutrition, art and design, business, etc) to produce the cookbook as a class and determine how much it will cost to print/how much to sell them for
• Community health fair- a culminating event in July where the learners can showcase/sell their cookbooks. Will also invite local community health organizations to come set up booths, do HIV screenings, and other health related activities. I'm also really excited about the idea of planning a 5k fun run through the township to start the day that will end at the health fair. 
• Grade 9
• Creating their own business! 
• Each class will be a restaurant, and like grade 8s, will break into different committees to create a successful business
• Teams will decide the restaurant's name, menu, architecture, security measures, social responsibility, and business plan. 
• Each of the grade 9 classes will participate in a business competition at the end of the term (Mom, Dad, Jack, MK, and Sarah- you'll be here to see this one!) 
• After school/extras: 
• We've begun a university club after school to help the grade 12 learners better understand the college/bursary application process. It's a bit tricky because Alice and I are still learning this process as well, but they don't have any sort of college counselor or access to the internet/university websites, so we are trying to help them stay on pace to apply on time. The application process is a bit confusing, and we don't want tertiary education to be inaccessible to them because they didn't understand the app process. 
• We're also preparing for a workshop on To Kill a Mockingbird for the grade 12s as it will be on their matric exam.

So we've been staying quite busy and have a lot on our plate, yet a lot to look forward to for next term! 

Otherwise, all is well here. We didn't have school today because it is Human Rights Day. This morning I ran an 8k, or what was supposed to be an 8k, at a stone quarry nearby with some South African friends. However, there was some confusion on the course (which was literally inside the quarry) and everyone who was supposed to run the 8k ended up running a 5k. Oh well. I've been enjoying the running club I joined and love that I have met people who like to race regularly on the weekends! (We're hoping for a better organized 10k this weekend). It's been a great way to meet people and see parts of the city/country that I wouldn't have otherwise (since I can bum rides with them to races)! 

Time to power through the last two school days and get excited for some much anticipated travel next week! 

xx