Date: 3.14.

2011
Time: 1pm
Music Playing: Javier Dunn, Animal (Appears to be my theme song)

Today is my first day introducing the project 'One Day in the Life' with the Students at Animo
Leadership Charter High School. Over the weekend I prepared the following:

1. A powerpoint presentation on Uganda to provide the students with some background information on
the country.
2. I put together a handout on Uganda, much of what was retrieved from the Ugandan Embassy's
website based in Washington D.C.
3. I wrote a teacher's Manual/Guide for Ms. Abigail Garcia (to assist her in navigating through
iEARN's online platform for the 'One Day in the Life'- Activity)
4. I also sent Ms. Garcia the nine week curriculum for the 'One Day in the Life'- project

However, I had a rough start this morning, as I was greeted with some car trouble. None-the-less, I
made it in time to do the presentation where I took over the last 20 minutes of Ms. Abigail Garcia's
class. I must admit, I found myself quite nervous, for the morning class, which was I believe period
one. I looked over the sea of faces, all 11th grade teenagers wondering 'who is the person nervously
staring back at me, talking about some random country faraway.' As I read their expressions, I slowly
found myself transcending from words to mumbling to slight stuttering. I even found myself saying as
I was giving them their assignments "I would really appreciate it if you did the homework, if you can.
Thanks so much.' Ms. Garcia had to pull me aside and tell me that I need to say "I require that you do
these assignments, NOT I would really appreciate it if you did the work."

The next classes for period two, then three I felt a lot more confident. I told the students that "It was
required that the did every assignment related to this activity and that they would be graded on these
assignments." I did the powerpoint presentation on Uganda. We discussed various topics like the
meaning of Dictatorship and the lives lost under authoritarian governments such as the 300,000 lives
lost under Uganda's Dictator Idi Amin. We discussed the concept of Freedom, the North African
Revolutions, and the significance of Social Commentary. We discussed how this experience could be
incorporated into their mission statements for their university application process. We talked about why
it was important for them to have some type of perspective on the country Uganda and it's culture
before engaging with their students participating in the 'One Day in the Life' activity.

All of the students completed a survey before each of my presentations. I asked them about their
general knowledge on Africa. I was pleasantly surprised with discovering that many of the students
were actually quite familiar with the continent of Africa. They were aware of the conflict in Darfur, the
world cup in South Africa, the continents struggle with HIV, the poverty, the blood diamonds, and the
wildlife. Many of the students appeared to have compassion for many of the African nations struggling
with political freedom, and societal peace. They were aware of Uganda's abducted children, many of
whom were forced to become child-soldiers. Many of the students were enthusiastic, many were
confused, and there were those who were slightly disconnected. However they all seemed to be open,
or curious as to what this experience would become for them as individuals. The curiosity was
significant, because my goal is to apply that ultimately to a curiosity for culture.

1:45pm
I'm currently in the last period where I'm going to introduce the 'One Day in the Life'-activity, one
student has already yelled out "I haven't had a pen-pal since the fourth grade," I was waiting to return to
my nervous state. However, I surprised myself by calmly and confidently sharing the similarities and
differences with his past pen-pal experiences and the new experiences he'll have with using innovative
technology to bridge his culture, society, and world.
2:00pm
Ms. Abigail Garcia encouraged me to speak with the school's art teacher, and ask him to work with us
and the students on our final collage-art project where we'll create (nine weeks from today) a mural of
collage art.

2:10pm

I approached the art teacher and invited him to take part in our 'One Day in the Life'-project. He was
enthusiastic and said he was totally up for it. Ms. Garcia also mentioned to me that I should talk with
the schools government teacher, Ms. Delpino, and gather an idea of what the students already know
about the political activity within the different countries of Africa and how we can encourage them to
discuss this topic during her course. So I will approach her tomorrow.

3:03pm
My day has finally come its end as I'm about to drive away now. It appears I have actually survived my
first day with introducing Uganda, and the 'One Day in the Life'-project to Animo Leadership High
School's eleventh graders!!!!!! I did it!!!!!