Have you heard about the 2nd and 3rd graders’ field trip last week to the National Railway Museum of Sierra Leone? It was an exciting opportunity for us to see the train cars and engines that used to transport people around this country.

Before visiting the museum, we discussed different forms of transportation and why they are important to people. Then, each student chose a couple of questions that they hoped to learn the answers to during the trip. The museum guide was impressed with the thoughtful questions many of the 2nd and 3rd graders had for him, and with the good listening skills the students demonstrated.

We learned that Sierra Leone’s railway system, which was started in the late 1800’s, took nearly 40 years of hard work to construct. Once it was completed, it was an economical way of moving people and goods from Freetown to other parts of the country. This means that it used money and resources well, and was not as wasteful as most other forms of transportation. Nevertheless, in the 1970’s, people in the government decided to end the railway system. They thought they could make more money for the country by using more cars instead of trains. The trains were stopped and the tracks were pulled out of the ground so the metal could be sold to other places.

Many of us were sad to hear this story of how Sierra Leone’s trains stopped running. We wish there were still a railway system to transport people safely and cheaply across the country. Nevertheless, we’re glad the Railway Museum is there to teach people about it, and we had a wonderful time there. We all recommend you visit the museum yourself when you have the chance.

Please talk to any 2nd or 3rd grade student if you want to hear more about our spectacular trip to the Railway Museum!

Mr. Caleb, 2nd & 3rd grade teacher

At AISF, we develop in our early-childhood professionals the ability to learn new skills through well structured teaching, hand-on experiences, individuals and small group activities in a creative and a highly motivated atmosphere.

Beginners in Preschool through third grades worked, and are gaining from visual and tactile sensory play. They are developing basic art vocabularies and using that on picture talk. Introducing and discussing basic elements of arts is ongoing at these levels.

Fourth and Eighth grades continue to analyse their works, discover new materials and new techniques. They also study the works and styles of renowned international artists. Students also engaged in exciting personal and group exploration of their own ability to create out of their imagination.

As we approach the third quarter of the school year, we are working towards our Annual Visual Arts Exhibitions. This will involve paintings or collage done on paper or stretched canvas. Remember the quilting club of AISF? They will also display their work. We expect it to take place sometimes in March 2010. We have developed a theme for our older children this time. The theme for this year is: ‘The Effects of Climate Change: What do we do?’ The children are presently putting their thoughts right on simple drafts of what they wish to paint. We shall inform you about the selected venue for this year’s.

During the first quarter, we had our after-school gara tie dye sessions. It was real fun while working on different gara techniques; clouds, sugarcane, cow eye, spider web and many more. We are presently embarking on our after-school batik classes. This is more advance technique creating patterns on fabric with wax. You can visit the art division to view some accidental and visualized designs on display.

This is how we nurture creativity and productivity in our learners.

Alpha S. Conteh, ART TEACHER

After we have been using the life skills for a while now from September to December, we should step back and check our progress.

The following are examples of questions we should ask ourselves to check our progress in using the life skills:

•Which skills do I use often?

•Which life skills do I feel comfortable using?

•Which skills do I still need help with?

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As you check your progress, look for areas in which you have improved, also, look at areas you can sill improve, if you find that you are having problems using a particular skill, you may want to talk to your teacher or to your parents. These adults probably use many of these skills every day, and they can give you helpful advice.

Staying healthy takes some effort, but knowing how and when to use the life skills will make staying healthy easier. Think about the life skills when you face a problem. If you plan ahead, you will find it much easier to deal with problems when they arise. We want to have our children remember that their goal also remains to keep all parts of their health balance.

We have earlier on talked about the four parts of health: physical, emotional, social and mental. A balanced diet, exercise, and 8 hours of sleep each night are needed for good physical health. Expressing your feelings in a healthy way is a sign of good emotional health, having good mental health helps you with problems effectively, getting along well with other people is a sign of good social health.

Wellness is having all parts of your health balanced. Your heredity and environment can influence your health. Your lifestyle and attitude affect your health.

When your health is balanced, you will feel good physically, emotionally, mentally and socially. And feeling good is what wellness is all about.

Wish you all a restful vacation.

Edward Gembeh

Health Teacher, 4th – 8th grades