Back to the Classroom

So after finding out February 11^th wasn’t the first day of school, just the beginning of the week of matriculation I set my mind forward to the excitement of February 18^th, the first day of school. Although the butterflies, which normally had accompanied me when I was a student, were noticeably absent, the excitement brought by something new was as real as ever. The first day was a joke, like in most schools, as it is brings a short day of introduction.

 

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! Well, I arrived UN poquito tarde around 8:00; classes start at 7:00 and the director of the school was standing on the stage speaking to the parents, teachers, and some students. It was a great feeling however, as every kid who had came to the camp went out of their way to come and speak to me, including those who hadn’t came since the beginning of December. The majority of the kids were running around talking and playing while the director said what he needed to regarding matriculation and all that jazz. Then it was time for the kids to learn their teacher. It was exciting. Kids, as if being jerked by an imaginary leash immediately paused to convert all kinetic energy going in one direction into potential so they could be reeled in the direction of the stage. It was decided Prof Olma Carias would teach 6^th grade again (everyone already knew) AND she would be teaching in the MORNING! Roars erupted from the crowd in celebration of having the same teacher from whom they enjoy being taught. We only sat in class for about 30 minutes as the majority of the day was going to help those testing for recuperacion (summer school).

 

I left a bit perplexed as to why they hadn’t finished recooperacion earlier, but then I remembered the first day was merely an introduction at most schools.

 

I was told the night before I could arrive to class when I chose, so after running some errands I rolled in at about 8:00. I was graced with a fantastic song Llegas tarde tortuga otra vez. With choruses and verses I was told, “Again you’ve arrived late Turtle.”

 

Well that was more than enough for me; I vowed to be on time from then on.

 

So the next day I explained to the children one of the projects we would be undertaking this year. The three school pen-pal system between my Mom’s Kindergarten Class, Senora Cahn’s Spanish Class, and Prof Olma’s Sixth Grade Class. They all seemed very excited and are looking forward to the arrival of the mail from the States. I also took the opportunity to have the kids make index cards of whom they were, and things they liked. I then took their picture so I could learn their names…it was a very quick way, and by the nightfall I had 90% of the kids named.

 

We also started an introduction to the English language. With some idea of the alphabet and numbers to ten, we started to iron out any wrinkles. Phonetically spelling American letters in Spanish is very difficult, but with a little help all was well and they are enunciating like 30-year-old English Teachers. We also started a random vocabulary list, a few basic sentences regarding greetings and a list of pronouns to prepare for learning verbs.

 

I left that day with a real sense of belonging in the class. There is mutual respect between myself, and the teacher, and the same level of respect between the students and I. Moreover, they are extremely eager to learn English, and I think this will only enhance the pen pal program.

 

The following morning I was only in school for about 80 minutes, but it was their gym period so I started to lay the groundwork of Kickball. After daily prayers, I drew the diamond on the board, explained some basic rules and after 10 minutes the attentiveness started to wane and so we hit the courts. I really enjoy teaching those who have never played because it gives you the opportunity to teach them all the specifics of the game without them having any holes/biases from prior learning. Obviously one of the biggest things is base running, especially if a fly ball is caught, but poco a poco they will be fine.

 

So with all four aspects of my presence – Pen Pal Program, Teaching English, Physical Education, and Accompaniment/Mentor, I really have taking a liking to the kids. As with everywhere each one has unique gifts and the random seating assignments of each day allow a great opportunity to sit and meet knew people.

 

Here is a normal day of school.

 

I get up at 6:20, make oatmeal, change and am out the door with my backpack by 6:50.

 

Prof (who lives two blocks north of us) passes me in her taxi, as I in my bicycle make sure I will arrive before 7:00

 

I arrive to school a little before 7:00; thank God it is downhill J, in time to join the end of the boys line for the classroom.

 

At 7:05 Prof inspects appearance (I always fail, but for some reason am allowed to enter), nails, dirty clothes, appropriate uniform colors as the students file into the classroom.

 

7:07 – A few stragglers join, as we start to pray. With 95%(just a guess) people being Christians a student assigned to the day says a pray (echoed by the class) from the front. Prof adds a few words, or a prayer of her own, and the prayer ends in applauso.

 

The kids who had arrived during prayer respectfully wait until it is over, and arrive late to class after the applause.

 

Prof gives a small lesson on personal growth (my favorite) lasting no more than 10 minutes, normally shorter, and then class begins.

 

There is time sectioned off for Calligraphy (cursive), Math, Ciencias Naturales, Ciencias Sociales, Educacion Fisica, and a few other things (although I’m not sure what). Like any other classroom, she lectures, the students read, they participate doing problems on the dry erase board. Like any other school, they have recess, which begins at 10:00. Like most schools it is very difficult to get the kids focused after recess, and school ends at 12:00.

 

A few differences... There is a lot of interaction between siblings during the day. The younger siblings will come to their older brothers or sisters and beckon them to the door. Normally without stride the older sibling tends to the younger one without a problem. Recess is my favorite as there is an overlap between the younger kids and the older kids, and the families really seem to hang out together. Sibling Rivalry…Where?

 

The kids do not have their own books, as they are left in the classroom, to be used during the classroom hours only, presumably because the afternoon session uses them as well. There is some copying, but the majority of the education from what I have seen thus far as been interactive enough to stimulate growth and deter stagnant boredom.

 

From what I have heard, it should be a credit to the teacher, as it is not the norm in the country. But as with most things, it comes down to the individual to help stimulate motivation in others.

 

I like sixth grade. It’s the first time I ever have been a part of the first three weeks in sixth grade. I don’t know what I missed when I was out with my ruptured spleen, but I feel if it was as good as this class, the baseball cards from Auntie Yaya although appreciated, weren’t worth it. The kids are engaging, and just like any other school I have stepped into, can be guided to learn, or left abandoned to flounder.

 

With anything it comes down to the ternura (tenderness) they feel from the one guiding them. With a firm enough grip so they know they won’t drown, but enough slack to experience new things on their own.