Teachers on Strike

So what happens in Africa when the teachers decide to go on strike and attend a union meeting?? Three Americans and one German get a chance to teach two classes of third grade (38 Zulu children in each). :) Oh yes, it was interesting. We showed up in the morning to help our teachers like we have been doing all week, but something was different....there was a lot of little people and very few big people. Then we were told that our teachers were not coming to school and that we were going to have to teach their classes. So through very simple English and a lot of sign language and pointing, Stephanie and I taught addition/subtraction on a number line, practiced animal names in English, played I have/who has with simple math facts, and sang a lot of songs. Then we got even smarter - we let one third grader take over after lunch. Oral storytelling is a subject that they study and practice here. So I asked one little girl who is an amazing storyteller if she would tell the class a story. She said yes and off she went (for 25 minutes) in Zulu, of course. Then when she sat down she said something else and another child got up and told a story. This happened until school got out...amazing! And even though we can't understand their words, we were so enthralled in their stories because of their voice and actions that time passed very quickly. It was an awesome experience and my teacher was very appreciative when she returned to school today. I will post pictures soon of our substitute teaching.