Sports Day

Today was Sports Day at the school and I have a sunburnt face. In all, it was a wonderful break from the classroom. Especially because my students have become completely unmanageable when they do not feel like being taught (most of the time), so this was a good chance to enjoy some good competitions with them. It was a bit like being a counselor back in camp, but then add the "Mr. that's not fair" attitude, which happened in about half of the games, and most definitely stems from a student's/this age group's constant need to push against authority. Nevertheless, the tears (after winning a relay and being told by the judge that we came in 2nd), the injuries (one boy badly sprained his wrist after the long jump), and the enthusiasm for having fun outdoors were all there, with the chance to view teachers as something other than menacing sources of supremacy. For the school, image is particularly important, hence why we missed almost 4 periods of class two days before just to "rehearse" for sports day, the location of the event in a lush club, practice time and stress on the cheers and "sports day song" (a version of "we are the champions") and a slew of emails and emphasis on sports day procedure. I guess it makes sense, this is the school's one big day with all of the grades. 

Each grade, 1 through 6, is divided into four houses, Red Indians, Blue Vikings, Green Pharoahs, and Yellow Aztecs. For primary six, we competed in a relay race, a balance race, an obstacle course, the long jump, soccer, baseball, a zig-zag race, and a sprint. I was the leader for the blue vikings. 

Mohamed, the last photo evidence of him in good condition before he landed on his wrist.. 

A surprise of everyone doing the warm-up exercise/also a sweet dance move (we do this every day for the morning lines, and I am usually the only one doing it for primary six, but in front of the parents the kids feel the need to perform..)

Teacher picture

Outside the club. If it weren't for technology it would be a harsh desert. This is exemplary of a trend of Cairo life, if you can afford to move out, you do. Up rise developments beyond developments, shopping malls, sports clubs (like this one), and the exclusion of Baladi (popular culture) life. 

Soon, more fun out of the classroom things are coming up. I will be going on a 4 night 5 day field trip to an ecolodge in the Sinai Peninsula with my class. I am excited/dreading it.