Did you know?

Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa.

In Grade 4, my students will learn about Ancient Civilizations, Belief Systems, Ecosystems, and Energy. I do not know specifically what I will be teaching my students but my guess would be a comprehensive mix of all of these topics to form one overarching interdisciplinary unit. I'm betting its going to be spectacular. :)

My school, ISU, is a 33 acre campus that houses 4 fully equipped science laboratories, 3 computer laboratories with access to the Internet and wireless connectivity campus-wide, a library of 20,000 volumes, 3 sports fields, sports hall, track, 2 swimming pools, 4 tennis courts and separate facilities for Early Childhood education. (Courtesy of U.S. Department of State)

Uganda has a few news sites such as New Vision and the Daily Monitor and even a magazine which I am guessing is a travel magazine, The Eye.


That is all for now. Cannot wait to finally begin this grand adventure!! :)

Tickets, Timing, Traveling

So Amanda Low (whose also blogging about her adventures) and I just purchased our plane tickets to Uganda!!! We officially leave on August 26 and arrive in Entebbe on August 27th! I cannot express how excited I am about this opportunity. Though since this is a blog I suppose I should fill you in on exactly how I am really feeling about this upcoming adventure.

Now, in all honesty I truly am really excited about this trip. I am so thankful that Amanda is going with me and that we will get to explore this wonderful country together. That being said, I am still somewhat apprehensive. It is all so unreal to me. This is actually happening. What was I thinking?!? Africa. Uganda. Flying to a continent that I had only seen on maps and read about in history books (and not that I did that much reading on it anyway). I have no knowledge of this continent or country that is relevant beyond a 5th grade exam. Which is really scary. It's humbling to know that I suppose most everyone who is not connected to this part of the world may have the same knowledge but I need to know more before I go. I have been putting this adventure off until after the GACE (or so I told myself). Well, the GACE is over (more on that later) and now I have no excuse. I will begin my research with more determination. I have already purchased a guide book on Uganda so I can pick that up and seriously study it instead of perusing it. I want more though. Specifically on Kampala and ISU (International School of Uganda). I know realistically that whatever I read will not really prepare me for the actual act of being in the country and that there are some things I cannot figure out just through books and research (Hermione, I feel for ya girl). But the desire to be as well educated as I possibly can is itching at me to do more. Starting today. I will write more frequently in this blog in hopes that telling someone about my research will make me want to complete more readings. Hope you guys are in for some fun facts about Africa, Uganda, and any other pieces of stories I find entertaining.

I completed the GACE on Saturday and I believe it went well. One can only wait and see after such an ordeal. I think I did very well in LA and Reading but maybe not so hot in SS. I am hoping to pleasantly surprised, haha.  

I think I will go do some research before work (one other thing I cannot wait to do is turn in my two weeks notice at Publix...should be exhilarating).

Until next time!

Brittney

Oh yeah, here's some photos:

In case you needed a visual reference as to where Uganda is in relation to the African continent.

And here we have a better idea of where Kampala, Entebbe, and Lake Victoria are. How fun!