New Testament Students Take a Virtual Trip to Australia

Students in Ms. Jennifer DeAguiar’s second and third grade classes at New Testament Christian School were visited by very special guests recently.  Each week the students wait eagerly to see who will be visiting their classroom as the special Mystery Reader. This week, the Mystery Readers came all the way from Australia.

Logging on through Skype, the students were able to see and hear special guests Brain and Derek.  Brian, who is a friend of DeAguiar’s, is working in Kyabram, Australia for Teen Challenge, an organization that helps to provide youth, adults and families with an effective and comprehensive Christian faith-based solution to life-controlling drug and alcohol problems in order to become productive members of society.

“My friend has been working for Teen Challenge in Australia for the past two years. We were able to Skype with him and another man, Derek, who has been in the program for eight months,” DeAguiar said. “Derek read 'It's Lovely When you Smile,' by Sam McBratney, in his thick Aussie accent. The story was about a grumpy baby kangaroo, or a joey as the Australians call them. The children loved learning about Australia. They were able to ask lots of questions and learned that it is currently summer there (the temperature at that time was almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit or as they told us 40 degrees Celsius), there is a 16-hour time difference, and that Derek and Brian were calling the class at 5 a.m. Friday morning.”

Mystery Readers will often come and share their favorite childhood story with the class, speak about their career or profession and just have fun.  By incorporating Mystery Readers into the curriculum, students are able to learn more about the world around them as well as different perspectives and views.