Debating day!

We started of the day with an old Pirnie favourite, ‘I Feel Good!’ and used the lyrics to explore feelings words. The students worked in pairs to act out different emotions. We then added more feeling vocabulary and the pupils matched the words to actions and pictures. The pupils were already familiar with some of the words but found other, the excited, more challenging to say in English. They tried so hard to do their best and loved acting out the feelings to each other.

'I feel good!' 'I feel mad.'

'So sad, I do'

Which emotion do you feel? and showing 'Excited' at Pirniehall!

Pho Cho the took over to lead "Debate day". This happens very week and the children look forward to it and come prepared to discuss current issues. This week, grade 2-7 were debating how to solve Burma’s problems after the cyclone in 2008. This was a topic that was clearly close to the children’s hearts. Pho Cho had already introduced the topic and the children were aware that those affected need hospitals, clean water, shelter and food.

They moved on to examine the issue of whether or not Burma should accept aid. The children were then split into 2 groups and were asked to carry out a discussion in role.

Group 1 was to have the opinion that Burma should accept international aid and group 2 were to be against accepting aid. Both groups came up with interesting arguments. For example, group 1 argued that Burma needed help at the start to get them back on their feet and then after that they could support themselves. Group 2 argued that people need to try and look after themselves and that they should go out and find the things that they need.

The severity of the situation really hit home when children shared their personal experiences.

‘My family has had to move because there is no work in Burma.’

‘Things need to change in Burma because it has so many problems’

We were amazed to see how engaged the children were in the debate and how confident they were at discussing such a complex issue. The children obviously feel very comfortable in the school and feel free to speak their mind.

Engaged in group discussions

After lunch, the topic continued with a drama lesson and we all helped the children to prepare a short performance based on the cyclone and the immediate aftermath. We were impressed by how the children organised themselves, even when working in such a large group. The performances were fun and the children certainly threw themselves into it. Claire and Vanessa tried their best to assist and be part of the performance!!!

We had a productive discussion after the performances and gave the children positive feedback. When we tried to get then to think of things they had done well it became clear that they found praising themselves difficult. They are very focused on improving and can be a little hard on themselves.

It was great to see Pho Cho in full flow. We were amazed at his ability to give the children the skills, knowledge and confidence to debate. We left feeling quite inspired - Pirnie pupils get ready for some debating!

Enthusiastic productions

Another fantastic day at Say Ta Nar. Pho Cho and Neeshar - what a team!