Notes on the First Week of School

So, I finally had my first week of school. I was supposed to just be observing in several of the classrooms, so I could get a feel for how things are done in Ugandan schools. I got more than I expected. I realize that there are going to be some differences between American schools and Ugandan schools, but some of the things I saw just didn't seem right. I think I've got my work cut out for me...
1. Students are in school from 7am-5pm (technically, although I think some sneak away or are sent away on occasion), yet I think only about 2 hours of work is actually accomplished. A typical class goes like this: the teacher stands at the front of the class and writes exercises on the chalkboard for about 15 minutes while behind his or her back the students are talking, hitting each other, throwing things, moving around, etc., then the teacher has the students read what is written on the board at least 5 times outloud, then the students spend about 45 minutes copying the exercises into their notebooks, which would only take 5 minutes if they were given 5 minutes, but since they have 45 min. some will take 45 min. to copy it down while others take 5min. and then sit there doing NOTHING for the other 40 minutes.
2. I was asked to teach, impromtu, an English lesson on the topic of building. You know when you are ASKED to do something, but you feel like you don't really have the option of saying no? Yeah, so I was in front of 70 students, doing my best to get them to understand my accent and actually learn something. I was the crazy white teacher asking students to EXPLAIN their answers- not something they are used to doing, ever. So, when a student gave an answer and I said, "How do you know?" I was getting blank stares. I was also left in a classroom by myself several times with no instructions. The kids had nothing to do but create chaos. So, once again, the crazy white teacher took over and made them learn something or at least use their minds. I do have to say, it is difficult to manage 70-80 kids in a class, especially when you don't know their names yet.
3. Behavior management is a little different here. Ok, completely different. There basically is no behavior management other than beatings. Teachers threaten it constantly and then will select a student at any time to receive a beating. Students will be acting crazy and the teacher will do nothing. Then, a student reads a word wrong in front of the class or doesn't give an answer in a complete sentence or doesn't write neatly enough in their notebook and they are beaten with a stick. And they whack hard! It is difficult to watch. Students become scared to even answer basic questions in fear of being wrong and then beaten. No one's perfect. Making a mistake doesn't warrant a beating in my book.
4. Break time and lunch: The schools here provide students and teachers with a snack at breaktime and then lunch in the afternoon. I was a little nervous to eat the village food, but I at least tried it. I ate matooke (similar to plantains) with peanut sauce and posho (maize flour) with beans. The food is served on pre-prepared plates, in no small amount. So, I would put about a quarter of it on a different plate to eat and leave the rest for someone else. When asked about it, I said I was not used to the food yet so eating just a little matooke or posho made me very full, which was mostly true. They are very filling, since they are all carbs, but it's not my favorite either (especially when there's a gritty-ness to it that I'm pretty sure is dirt).

Next week I get to visit some rural schools, so that should be interesting. I'm also hoping to start some reading groups. I'll let you know how it goes!