Update and Twana School

Greetings everyone!!

With our plane tickets purchased for the 18th of April, we are starting to prepare our cabin for our time away, and start the packing process. Our loft in our cabin has been turned into a packing zone. Anything and everything we want to take is put up there. Hopefully we can fit everything we need in 6 suitcases or less. Fingers crossed... Let the organizing begin!!

Twana School
Through the internet Alyssa and I have been communicating about what some needs are for the preschool and primary school. Alyssa committed to live in Zambia for 2 years. In that time she helped with the starting of the preschool(Twana School). Unfortunately her 2 year commitment is up, and she will be leaving late April/ May. Since she is leaving, we have talked about different curriculum materials she has currently implemented and ones that we would like to implement in the primary school. As many of you know, it is extremely expensive to purchase valuable resources. I have sent e-mails out to the schools and teachers that I have worked with in the Cedar Falls area asking them if they would be willing to donate any leveled reading books, resources, or manipulatives. I also presented the idea of a fundraiser to the principal so please pray that the e-mails will be received well. If you feel so lead to give any of these items or know of anyway to retrieve these items at a reasonable price let me know.

Below is a list that Alyssa has created that would be helpful for us to have as we try to provide a better education for the children attending the school. We are trusting that God will provide the funds we need in order to purchase the necessities. The preschool currently has enough supplies for this year, but more will be needed as we begin the primary school. God has already proven to us that he will provide for our needs, so we are just going to trust that he will do the same for the school. 


On a side note:
Alyssa, with the help of many others, has created a t-shirt design for children and adults. All the profits would go to purchasing materials/curriculum for the primary school. If this idea goes through I will post again with all of the information.

 Thank you all for your support and prayers!!!

If you have any questions please e-mail us at nmsweerin@hotmail.com

To Support Math:

·         Rulers

·         Pattern Blocks

·         Abacus

·         Calculators (solar power)

·         Measuring Cups

·         Objects to count and sort

·         Containers to sort

·         Adding and Subtracting Games

·         Touch Math- Curriculum

·         Geometric Boards with bands

To Support Science:

·         Tornado Bottles

·         Fake Snow

·         Magnifying Glasses

·         Bug Boxes

·         Magnets

·         Magnetic Boards

·         Human Body

·         Weather stuff

·         Marbles

·         Ramps

·         Objects to observe with magnifying glass

·         Colors/Color mixing paddles

·         TONS of children’s science books (i.e. outer space, bugs, animals, ocean, earth, weather, human body, plants, volcanoes, experiments, and so on)

·         Binoculars

·         Butterfly cage

·         Ant Farm

·         Plant pots

·         Science Index Cards

·         Eye Droppers

·         Tweezers

Language Development:

·         Sign Language Index Cards, Books, and Games

·         Dress-Up clothes for ages 6-7 (boys and girls)

·         Dress up Shoes

·         Necklaces/bracelets

·         Food, plates, cups, pots, pans, etc.

·         Animals

·         Blocks (various kinds)

·         Cars

·         People

·         Puppets

·         Stuffed Animals/Baby Dolls

·         Felt Board with stories (smaller for 2-3 children to use)

Reading Development:

·         Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

·         Books that start with level 1 reading to level 3 reading

·         Various Children’s Books (Christian and Non-Christian)
.     Tongan and English Books

Writing Development:

·         35 Hand Writing without Tears KIDS books

·         Hand Writing without Tears curriculum (wooden letters, mat man, etc.)

·         Newsprint Paper with lines

·         Dry Erase Crayons/Markers

·         Dry Erase Boards

·         Chalk

·         Chalk Boards

·         Stencils (letters, numbers, animals, shapes)

·         Pencil Sharpeners (attach to tables)

·         Pencil Boxes

·         Envelopes and Key Chain Rings

·         Clip Boards

·         Stickers

Light & Shadow Studio:

·         Transparent Blocks

·         Jewels and gems

·         Mirrors

·         Things that reflect light and absorb light

·         Marbles

·         Flash Lights

·         Lace/doilies

·         Any other transparent objects

·         AAA Batteries for flash lights

·         Transparent Colored Dixie Cups

Art:

·         Beads

·         Popsicle Sticks

·         Gems/mirror pieces

·         Smooth stones

·         Cotton Balls

·         Pom-Poms

·         Crazy eyes

·         Yarn and Needles (plastic)

·         Buttons

·         Scissors

·         Glitter

·         Tissue Paper

·         Paint Brushes

·         Construction Paper

·         White paper for painting

·         Washable Paint (all colors)

·         Powder Tempera Paint (all colors)

·         Fine Point BLACK Permanent Markers

·         Bubble Wrap

·         Washable Markers (thin and thick)

·         Shaving Cream

·         Sea shells, marbles, aquarium rocks, pebble, grass, gems, and other “open-ended” items you can buy like that

·         Funnels

·         Splatter Screens

·         Shovels, buckets

Technology Center:

·         Computer Games (reading, writing, math, science, etc.)

·         Children’s Music CD’s for exercise, fun, around the world, movement, etc.

·         Digital Camera

·         Video/Voice Recorders

·         USB Mouse

·         Mouse Pad

Classroom Set Up:

·         A lot of clear, plastic containers with lids (round, square, tall, short, big, and small)

·         Collapsible Containers

·         Post it notes (big and small)

·         Velcro (with sticky side)

·         Command Hooks (with refills)

·         Folders with pockets

·         Rubber Bands

·         Masking Tape (A LOT)

·         Double Sided Tape

·         Scotch Tape

·         Fishing Line (A LOT)

·         Clear, plastic CUPS

·         Small Floor Carpets

Curriculum Books:

·         $1500 To buy 35 of each of the 6 curriculum books for Grade 1

Out Door Time:

·         Parachute

·         Outdoor Balls (soccer, basketball, football, nerf balls, tennis balls, etc.)

·         Outdoor games

Bible Time:

·         Felt Board with stories and figures

·         Bible Story Books and Interactive Exercises appropriate for 6-7 year olds