South African Consul Visits Ms. Christie-Blick’s Class
Consul Sono, from the South African Consulate in New York City, visited our class in February 2011. Ms. Thami Sono talked to the class about her own country on the other side of the world. The children had worked hard researching South Africa to prepare for her arrival. She was impressed and pleased by how much these young Americans knew about her country and its most famous person, Nelson Mandela.
The students were very interested to hear about Ms. Sono’s life growing up in South Africa under apartheid. They realized it was a very difficult time for her. They were amazed to hear she had grown up in a house without electricity or inside plumbing, and that she had not tasted a chocolate chip cookie until she arrived in the United States just a few years ago. Afterwards, they talked about how hard she must have worked in school to get a better life for herself as an adult. They found her very inspiring.
The students enjoyed hearing about South Africans, such as their love of sports, especially rugby, and that the South African Springboks is one of the best rugby teams in the whole world. They also loved hearing about "The Big Five" that live in her country – buffalo, lion, leopard, rhinoceros, and elephant – and hope to see them for themselves one day. The video Ms. Sono showed of her country, the descriptions she gave of the beautiful beaches, and knowing that February is summertime in the southern hemisphere, made them all want to hop on a plane!
They were so grateful that she had shared her culture with them that they wanted to share their American culture with her. After her talk, they all enjoyed milk and homemade American chocolate chip cookies as they chatted about going to see giraffes in Kruger National Park, and penguins on the shores of Cape Town. It was an afternoon to remember!
26 thoughts on “South African Consul Visits Ms. Christie-Blick’s Class”
im ms.sono's dauhter and i have to say that im pretty impressed!!!!!
Hahaha!!! I saw a rainbow this weekend. It was so pretty. My sister said that we should run over to the end of the rainbow to find the pot of gold. Happy Halloween!!! We can't celebrate Halloween in school here because the people here can't handle it. Did you celebrate Halloween??? We can't go trick-or-treating either. My 5th grade teacher is Ms.Munoz. Shes as nice as you!!! Its just like seeing another you. How many days have you been in South Africa???? What is the substitute for you??? Hope you have a nice time in Africa!!!
Glad you have a nice teacher, Lily. I don’t know if the kids were able to go trick-or-treating in New York this year because they had a big snow storm. I’ve been in Africa since September 1st. My husband and I went on safari in Tanzania and then came down here to South Africa. There are only 11 4th grades in the district this year instead of 12, so my classroom is empty for the year. I’m hoping it will receive a nice fresh coat of paint while I’m gone!
Lily, the kids from our class are mostly looking at the Tanzania safari pages and South Africa pages right now. Mr. Tanenbaum has begun introducing the blogs to them during computer class. It would be good if you posted a comment to them on one of those pages so they would see that you’re online. Enjoy your week!
Ms.Christie-Blick!!!! I'm having a great time at phoenix. Its so hot!!! Even now. The coldest phoenix gets is 70 degrees. How about New York. I miss New York so much!!! Its too bad I didn't see Ms.Sono.
Lily! I’m so happy to hear from you! You’ve made my day!
You are lucky to be in nice, warm Arizona. I’ve just heard that they have snow in New York this weekend. Isn’t that unbelievable for so early in the year?!
I’m living here in South Africa for this school year. If you click on the links in the right sidebar of this website you’ll get an idea of what I’ve been doing. Hope you’ll visit the Tanzania blog and compare some of the animals I saw with whatever wild animals you have in Arizona. I know the kids from the class would also love to hear from you.
Since I’m in the southern hemisphere, it’s spring here now in October. This weekend we’ve had rain showers throughout the day (and beautiful rainbows). The highs have been in the 60s. I’m happy to know we’re heading toward summer. No winter for me this year!
Hi Fiona. Do you have Mrs. Wagner for science? She’s a wonderful science teacher! I’m not sure who I would be teaming with this year if I were at Cottage Lane because the teams change around.
That was an interesting experience, wasn’t it? I also had a nice chat with Ms. Sonos last summer. She was very helpful when I needed a special visa (government form) to come to South Africa.
That was an interesting experience, wasn’t it? I also had a nice chat with Ms. Sonos last summer. She was very helpful when I needed a special visa (government form) to come to South Africa.
Consul Sono, from the South African Consulate in New York City, visited our class in February 2011. Ms. Thami Sono talked to the class about her own country on the other side of the world. The children had worked hard researching South Africa to prepare for her arrival. She was impressed and pleased by how much these young Americans knew about her country and its most famous person, Nelson Mandela.
The students enjoyed hearing about South Africans, such as their love of sports, especially rugby, and that the South African Springboks is one of the best rugby teams in the whole world. They also loved hearing about "The Big Five" that live in her country – buffalo, lion, leopard, rhinoceros, and elephant – and hope to see them for themselves one day. The video Ms. Sono showed of her country, the descriptions she gave of the beautiful beaches, and knowing that February is summertime in the southern hemisphere, made them all want to hop on a plane!
They were so grateful that she had shared her culture with them that they wanted to share their American culture with her. After her talk, they all enjoyed milk and homemade American chocolate chip cookies as they chatted about going to see giraffes in Kruger National Park, and penguins on the shores of Cape Town. It was an afternoon to remember!
im ms.sono's dauhter and i have to say that im pretty impressed!!!!!
Hi Aphelele! Yes, you should be very proud of your mother. She’s awesome! What are your impressions of New York City?
im ms.sono's dauhter and i have to say that im pretty impressed!!!!!
Hi Aphelele! Yes, you should be very proud of your mother. She’s awesome! What are your impressions of New York City?
Mrs. Gallager was a 5th grade teacher last year now she is a 4th grade teacher
Mrs. Gallager was a 5th grade teacher last year now she is a 4th grade teacher
Thank You so much! Do you like the earings and necklace I bought you? I bought you another gift. Its an tortoise earing holder.
I LOVED them! You are very kind, Lily. You know how much I like animals.
Hahaha!!! I saw a rainbow this weekend. It was so pretty. My sister said that we should run over to the end of the rainbow to find the pot of gold. Happy Halloween!!! We can't celebrate Halloween in school here because the people here can't handle it. Did you celebrate Halloween??? We can't go trick-or-treating either. My 5th grade teacher is Ms.Munoz. Shes as nice as you!!! Its just like seeing another you. How many days have you been in South Africa???? What is the substitute for you??? Hope you have a nice time in Africa!!!
Glad you have a nice teacher, Lily. I don’t know if the kids were able to go trick-or-treating in New York this year because they had a big snow storm. I’ve been in Africa since September 1st. My husband and I went on safari in Tanzania and then came down here to South Africa. There are only 11 4th grades in the district this year instead of 12, so my classroom is empty for the year. I’m hoping it will receive a nice fresh coat of paint while I’m gone!
Lily, the kids from our class are mostly looking at the Tanzania safari pages and South Africa pages right now. Mr. Tanenbaum has begun introducing the blogs to them during computer class. It would be good if you posted a comment to them on one of those pages so they would see that you’re online. Enjoy your week!
I know now it is February but, i can remember, the police called and said we should only go until 5:00 because of the down powerlines!
Ms.Christie-Blick!!!! I'm having a great time at phoenix. Its so hot!!! Even now. The coldest phoenix gets is 70 degrees. How about New York. I miss New York so much!!! Its too bad I didn't see Ms.Sono.
Lily! I’m so happy to hear from you! You’ve made my day!
You are lucky to be in nice, warm Arizona. I’ve just heard that they have snow in New York this weekend. Isn’t that unbelievable for so early in the year?!
I’m living here in South Africa for this school year. If you click on the links in the right sidebar of this website you’ll get an idea of what I’ve been doing. Hope you’ll visit the Tanzania blog and compare some of the animals I saw with whatever wild animals you have in Arizona. I know the kids from the class would also love to hear from you.
Since I’m in the southern hemisphere, it’s spring here now in October. This weekend we’ve had rain showers throughout the day (and beautiful rainbows). The highs have been in the 60s. I’m happy to know we’re heading toward summer. No winter for me this year!
Well on about October 28, we had a BIG storm
Hi my name is Fiona.I was wondering I’m in mr.o’s class and I was wondering if You weren’t in south Africa if I would switch with you for science?
Hi Fiona. Do you have Mrs. Wagner for science? She’s a wonderful science teacher! I’m not sure who I would be teaming with this year if I were at Cottage Lane because the teams change around.
Hi my name is Fiona.I was wondering I’m in mr.o’s class and I was wondering if You weren’t in south Africa if I would switch with you for science?
Ms. Sono was so nice to us if we could have a vote if we could do this every year I would want to!
Ms. Sono was so nice to us if we could have a vote if we could do this every year I would want to!
I remember this with Ms Sono.
That was an interesting experience, wasn’t it? I also had a nice chat with Ms. Sonos last summer. She was very helpful when I needed a special visa (government form) to come to South Africa.
I remember this with Ms Sono.
That was an interesting experience, wasn’t it? I also had a nice chat with Ms. Sonos last summer. She was very helpful when I needed a special visa (government form) to come to South Africa.