.. The New CCH International School In its quest to provide the best future possible for all of its children, Center for Children's Happiness has expanded its operations through the creation of the new CCH International School, operating on the orphanage site, serving grades 1-6. CCH children in this age range no longer attend public school, but will be educated on the CCHIS primary school campus (formerly known as CDCC). CCHIS is for CCH children only, but is "international" in the sense that it aspires to move, where appropriate, beyond traditional Cambodian teaching methods to encompass
For all that, CCHIS is a school licensed through the appropriate Cambodian ministries, and must adhere to the Cambodian National Curriculum. All teachers hired by CCHIS are credentialed through the relevant Cambodian authorities. CCHIS, grades 1-6, is a work in progress, we have funding to complete school year 2009-2010, and reasonable prospects for school year 2010-2011, but the long term viability of the school will depend upon raising strong, long term donor support, based on the accomplishments of the school. In this edition, we offer you a glimpse of the lively spirit of the rapidly evolving CCH International School, primary level!!
Going out to recess from morning classes (CCHIS campus at the facility formerly called "CDCC")
Back to class
Classroom scenes
Monthly testing to monitor academic progress (This testing scene is standard for all Cambodian schools, where students progress is monitored monthly)
Field Trips!!!
An important part of the CCH International School is field trips. The goals of the field trip program are: 1) To help students make connections between academic learning and the real world; 2) to expose students to many facets of their own culture and the natural world in Cambodia; 3) to have fun while learning---to experience the joy of exploration and curiosity; and 4) through that curiosity, to foster question asking and problem solving skills. The field trip pictured below was to Independence Monument, a Phnom Penh landmark erected in 1958 to commemorate Cambodian National independence from French colonial rule in 1953. Students were prepared for this trip by studying the relevant history of Cambodia and its colonial past.
Sketching Independence Monument in Phnom Penh
Checking out a poster advertising an exhibit of art work from the reign of Jayavarman VII (left); Closer to current day reality, noticing new public trash receptacles in Phnom Penh public spaces (right).
Cooperative Learning CCH children are already adept at doing projects together, so cooperative learning is an easy thing for them to practice. CCHIS encourages a spirit of mutual exploration and helping one another succeed in academic pursuits.
CCH Director Mech Sokha shares a light moment with CCHIS students
Computer Skills Computers have been part of the CCH scene for several years now. However, thanks to some generous recent grants, exposure to computer skills and educational software is being taken to a new level. CCHIS now has regular internet access at both CCH 1 and the CCHIS campus (CDCC facility), and even the youngest CCHIS students have some access to the computer lab at school.
English Language Instruction One major application of computers at CCHIS is the new computerized English language instruction. This program is taught in class, with the help of LCD projectors, by teachers in grades 1-6. Grades 7-12 do the same program through an independent study routine. This leveled reading approach is based on extensive English as a second language research in the United States. There are over 250 books for students to read and be tested on, ranging from beginning reading to high 8th grade level material. Approximately half of the books are fiction, and half are non-fiction, including a lot of natural science material. Students hear native English speakers reading each book (complete with music and sound effects), and as part of their learning routine, stop the story and pronounce aloud what they have just heard. After reading each book twice, students take a comprehension quiz. The older students complete a book report. All students were given a baseline test upon entry into the program, and will be tested for progress at a later date. CCH supplements this program with English conversation groups led by volunteers, when possible, and hopes to establish this converstaion program on a continuous basis in the future, funding permitting.
Independent English learners at work
In class discussion after the English slide show/book presentation for grade 3 Science and Nature CCHIS is concerned with raising students' awareness of the natural world, so that they may become good stewards of the environment as adults. In addition, many future jobs will very likely be in the "green" sector, so familiarity with the basic ideas of environmentalism and conservation is a good practical step forward as well for these students. Below are photos of a big trip to the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Sanctuary, described in the Lonely Planet guidbook as "Cambodia's foremost wildlife sanctuary, Phnom Tamao... is a home for animals confiscated from traffickers or saved from poachers traps. It occupies a vast site south of the capital and its animals are kept in varying conditions that are rapidly improving with help from international wildlife NGOs."
In class preparation, then....exploration!
Careful observation through sketching
Awareness of foreign conservation efforts
Getting close to endangered mammals
A little bird told me....a big bird was less talkative.
Libraries An integral part of CCHIS is its own libraries. They are not developed enough to serve as resources for research. However, they are packed with lots of good books in the Khmer language, which encourage children in habits of lifelong reading.
Physical Education Children (and staff) spend a great deal of time in class, so PE is a must, to keep the mind sharp and the body healthy. CCHIS allows the children to have 15 minutes between classes, plus a special PE time. Fortunately, there is a big space in which to exercise and play games.
More Field Trips! A convenient and culturally rich field trip for CCHIS students is to the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, where, after preparation in class, the children saw for themselves many artifacts of Cambodian culture and history. (See more online photos of the Royal Palace HERE.)
Checking out a map of the grounds
A scale model of Angkor Wat
Taking notes
Fish in the moat
Getting friendly with Cambodian heritage
...but still noticing interesting things that are not on the agenda...
...including all these "exotic" European imported pigeons (not an endangered species)!
Staff Training Since this is the first year of CCHIS operation, it is a time for searching to find the right staff who will stay long term at the school. It is also a time of continual training, as more experienced teachers impart their knowledge and skills to less experienced ones, and new techniques of active learning more common in Western countries are tried out in this Cambodian context, to see what works and what does not.
In service training for the teachers, who observe teaching techniques practiced in a real classroom
Staff meetings, where teachers report on and discuss their classroom successes and challenges
Semi-formal discussions and planning are part of the mix, too
Looking to the Future
CCH Director Mech Sokha in a planning session with older CCH students
Nothing is certain in life, and this is especially true for orphanages in developing countries. The challenge of CCH International School will be to walk the line between over-extending itself in a difficult fund raising environment, and under serving the children at CCH by being too cautious. Beyond the nearly 100 children currently in grades 1-6, there are an additional 40 or so in grades 7-12 (mostly in grades 7 and 8 this year). Next year, a large 6th grade class (almost 30 kids) will graduate out of the CCHIS primary school. This makes establishment of an extended CCHIS to grades 7-9 more pressing, since, at present, CCH children in that age range are enrolled in the less than satisfactory Cambodian public school system. How much CCHIS will be able to grow in coming years depends entirely on fund raising efforts only now getting under way. We will keep you posted. And those who may know of organizations or individuals specifically interested in funding innovative educational projects in third world countries are welcome to contact CCH Donor Liaison, Mr. Elia Van Tuyl, at friendsofcch@gmail.com.
And Finally......... In our next issue, we will return to many other productive activities taking place at CCH these days, including the community reach of Director Mech Sokha, CCH staff, and some older CCH children who are being groomed for leadership in Cambodian society.
...life can be sweet...
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Content: CCH Photo journalists, CCH staff, & Elia Van Tuyl English Editing and Layout: Elia Van Tuyl
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