Back to School

Today we spent a lot of time at our host school- Sidi O Sidi.  We participated in and observed in English, math, and science classes.  The math teacher taught his lesson in English, but that is unusual.  The Moroccan government is considering having all math and science classes in high school taught in English in the near future... English is the language of technology. The students seem to have much better math skills than American students and they have little hands-on; it's mostly listening and taking notes.  I have also not seen any kids who have trouble sitting still for hours on end and they don't seem to need technology in the classroom to learn.  Maybe it's the exercise they get riding and walking to and from school multiple times a day.  Take note, American students! 

Student parking lot

After lunch some lovely girls from our host teacher's class did a presentation on Moroccan culture for us.  We walked into the classroom and they had the front row set up for a celebration with decorations, fruit and drinks for us.  Two of the girls dressed up in traditional wedding attire and they explained that Moroccans have different cultures here that celebrate in various ways depending on their tribe or ethnic group.  We presented information on American weddings back to them and it was such a treat.

 Girls doing a cultural presentation- two in wedding attire

After school my travel partner and I had a lovely dinner and walked through the lively streets.  It was another amazing day in Morocco!

Pasta and grains in the street markets

Questions:  Xavier- one television show here in Morocco is Arabs Got Talent on Saturday nights.  For all of those who asked about entertainment and free time-students do what you mainly do...hang out with friends, social media, play soccer.  They seem to me less interested in television and video games than American kids.  The town I am is is a bit smaller than Martinsburg, and the kids walk or ride a bike to school and back for their two hour lunch break.  They have a nice, fresh lunch prepared at home and can rest before returning to school.  Nina, a typical house is more like a townhouse-- homes attached to each other.  

Typical house in Taroudant 

It is normal for kids to share bedrooms with their siblings.  Brianna C- the living rooms here have a couch around the entire outer edge of the room so many people can sit.  There aren't really yards with grass, etc.  When kids grow up they usually stay in the same home with the family until they are married.  Even after marriage some stay with their families.  They asked us about kids leaving home at 18 and wondered if it was positive or negative thing.  Mathew- no they don't have blow guns or any other types of guns for that matter unless you are a policeman or in the military.  It is illegal to own guns in Morocco, so gun violence is not an issue here.  And one more question to answer for Brian (bet you didn't think I'd answer this one...) toilets vary in Morocco from wonderfully modern to not so modern.  BYOTP (bring your own toilet paper)!  I prefer the modern as I haven't learned the correct technique for the second type just yet.  

Question of the Day:  What are the two main ethnic groups in Morocco?