First Day of School Looming in the Horizon

So this past week has consisted of meetings, meetings, more meetings, and class planning. I feel that when I write my syllabus that I am plotting out some part of the universe - it feels just that overwhelming! I am continually amazed at the freedom that I have to do WHATEVER I want - there are no guidelines for me to follow, no curriculum made. I am developing a health curriculum because the school has never had one. (And I do not mean to be presumptious because I do not know a lot - I just want to teach these kids how to talk care of their body, why they should do it, and help them to learn about disabilities and disorders! ) It makes me sad that this culture does not seem to know what to do with people who have something wrong with them. Ignorance is the biggest problem. I think I will post more on this later. It could also be really easy for me to 'fluff it off' so to speak, to not make an effort to build something for the future because I will only be here for a year. But someone said that teachers plant seeds, they do not often get to reap. So, I am going to do my very best.
And the best part: I finally gained access to the Science books today and basically it looks like I will just be taking the class through the books - as in I will use the book to teach from the book. For the three grades I will be teaching, only one set of books for Grade 7 has all the materials for teacher support. It seems that I will be winging it most of the time. And the best part is that the science textbook for grade 9 is 25 years old! SO: if anyone has connections to elementary school and can get a Gr. 8 science text (remember that they are a year behind here) that is younger than 25 years a donation like that to a school like this would be priceless. I am serious: please ask around! Books would be put to use here, rather than sitting on the shelf!
Tonight we get to meet the parents, and I am supposed to spell out what I hope to be doing this year. I should be okay for PE and Health, but seeing that I just got the science books, I am a little nervous about what I will be saying. I will probably just be vague and enthusiastic and hope that it comes off okay.
Well, I need to run: stress is running high here...
manda

PS> Blessings out to Marcella Knibbe and Steve Haanstra who will be getting married tomorrow!