Imagine thirty children ride on one ‘becak’ together and go to London to see the big clock named Big Ben. Ah, what a busy and crowded day I suppose!
That is our imaginative depiction we expressed in a sheet of black paper, the colorful papers plus the colorful flannels in a form of a (big) ‘becak’ and a (big) clock for English classes at the Bumen Library.
The idea of making this wall magazine came late and in an unexpected time. At that time I got confused because this English class is a bit special. There are 30 students in one class and they are divided into 3 major groups: the kindergarten, grade 1-6 elementary and junior high.
As a result, the more students that I teach the more confused I become because I intend to show all the art works of each group in one big wall magazine. But, how can I accommodate all the art works of those 30 children without losing the spirit of childhood which is imaginative and colorful? Finally, the idea of a ‘becak’ and Big Ben arrived unexpectedly on a sunny day when I visited my best friend’s boarding house, Greg.
There we were! Stuck the papers here, stuck the flannels there, cut this part, and cut that part. Voila! The wall magazine from 30 children was done! There are the mini puppets from ice-cream sticks made by elementary school children, funny pictures from kindergarten's children, and also some articles about Indonesia Independence Day, Ramadan, and the special fried rice recipes written by junior high school students. Everything is presented in the special English edition wall magazine a la Bumen English class!
Furthermore, the teaching-learning process in English class itself was very fun. I have always assisted by some loyal friends from Bumen (Ayu, Dedy & Marwan) and YPR volunteers (Monika, Rere, Ida & Irma), as well as Mbak Tri and ‘a crazy bule[2]’ from New Zealand, Andy Blackmore which we often call ‘Mas Suwandi’. Hahaha! J
I have found a lot of surprises during this process. The Bumen children are cheerful and hyperactive. They also have innocent and spontaneous point of view. Besides, the class was always busy and hectic because we were playing and learning in the same time. And look at the wrinkles formed on their foreheads when they were so serious on creating mini puppets from ice cream sticks, or making a family tree from strings and a coat hanger J However, I also miss to laugh and joke with them when I had to be absent two times because of my illness L
Ah, I will miss to teach again in this kampong!
-invani-
[1] ‘Becak’ is a Indonesian traditional transport similar to ‘rickshaw’
[2] ‘Bule’ is a popular name-calling for any foreigners or tourist coming to Indonesia
