The RCEF Blog 博客

The new semester has begun at Guan Ai Elementary, RCEF’s main program site! About 180 students, many returning from last year, are enrolled in six grades. RCEF has hired 18 teachers to work at the school, expanding the teaching force by five. This gives all the teachers a lighter class load so they can spend more time preparing lessons and having meetings about teaching strategies. New initiatives this semester include:

Curriculum Innovations: Science, a subject traditionally neglected in rural primary schools, is going to receive special emphasis at Guan Ai. There are frequently scheduled Science periods for grades 3-6 and dedicated teachers. We’re also starting extracurricular activities every afternoon. These were devised by teachers based on their hobbies and talents and students signed up voluntarily, ranking their top choices. The activities include Community Service, Soccer, Chess, Arts & Crafts, Story Telling, Cooking, Theater, Chinese Yo-yo, English Corner, Poetry Recitation, Aerobics, and School Newspaper.

School Management: We work with the school to revamp systems like the daily schedule and the teacher salary and evaluation system

Professional Development: Each subject has a “teacher research group” with regularly scheduled meetings. They will decide together how to plan lessons, evaluate students, and keep track of progress. There are also optional classes for teachers to help them improve their English and computer skills.

Hardware Improvements: The first grade classrooms have a new look with special hexagonal tables for group work and shelves with individual cubby holes for storing students’ things. Teachers have new offices with desks and computers to use in lesson planning and meetings. We are also in the process of designing a new cafeteria and dormitory.

More details coming in further posts!