The first day of school was on Friday. I wasn't nervous (thankfully) and I gave my third graders some classroom rules. When I was finished I told them to make their own rules for the class. Half of them had no idea what I was asking them to do. So I had to individually explain it them. So I've been thinking, how on earth am I going to teach them math and science if they can't even understand simple instructions like making their rules. This is going to be a challenge.
So the first day wasn't to bad at all. I really thought it was going to be worse by far. The little kids are so lovey here. I had only spent a few hours with my 3rd graders and they were already telling me that they loved me. A little girl wrote me a note that said "I love you mucho." I just about died! Ha ha.
We had 2 parties these past 2 days. The first one was the pastors birthday party. It was funny. The surprise party was supposed to start at 1:30 at the school. So we all went to the school at that time. Well, we sat around for an hour waiting for I don't know what. Finally someone asked what was going on and they realized that the pastor hadn't even been invited to his own party....so we had been waiting around for nothing! I thought it was really funny. It is really typical here that things are not on time and not scheduled. One of the things I have learned from being here is that you can't count on ANYTHING. For sure. The second party we had was last night and it was so much fun! The pastor is going to be gone in Costa Rica for 3 motnhs and we had a going away party at his house. There were about 40 people crammed into his small house and everyone made really loud barking noises ALL THE TIME. They have a song for everything here. It's all singing singing singing! We sang about 10 goodbye songs...and of course I had no idea what they were saying. Then everyone asked the missionary girls to sing a song to the pastor. So we sang Love is for the way you look at me.... it was so fun.
Well tomorrow is officially when classes start and to no surprise I have no schedule in my hand to figure out what I am going to teach tomorrow at what times. They will of course give it to me last minute. I'm not nervous and I am feeling really good about starting to teach!
WISH ME LUCK!
2 comments:
Pastor Trundle had to leave for the first three months last year too! It was hard not to have him there. Thats weird. I did not know he had to go again.
Its true that the students don't understand everything, especially now since they are just getting back from summer vacation and most of them did not practice English. It will take them awhile to get into the swing of thing. There will always be some students that don't totally understand what is going on and you will probably have to do alot of repeating and explaining yourself. I tried the rule thing a few different times last year. Its true they do have a hard time figuring out what you are asking them to do. What I think works the best is to do a group discussion. Then when the students that don't understand what you are asking hear they can figure it out by listening to the students. You should be able to get a poster board or big paper from Mitchie in the office and then you could write out the rules and post them in the class room. That way they can have a reminder and you can have them write sentences with the rule that they are not following or something.
Miss Graciala is really a nice lady. I was intimidated by her at first. I actually cried the first day I meet her. I had no idea what I was doing and she was like well this is what needs to be done and I was so lost. She can be a great help though. I always had a lot of fun talking to her when we handed out grades (you sit in the gym all day with tables set up all around and hand out grades with the home room teacher). Also if you ever need to talk with a parent and need help calling or translating something she can help with that.
Good luck with this first week! Here are a few quotes to help you out! I love quotes!
Wisdom begins in Wonder.
-Socrates
A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.
-Gandhi
I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.
-Mother Teresa
Wow sosh! (this is jessica by the way) I am so unbelievably amazed by your bravery. you honestly are astounding me with all your courage and strength, and I just love you! It sounds like you are coping with things really well!! Again, I am amazed and EXTREMELY proud of you. I know this is what is right for you, and I know that God is totally with you and on your side and leading you in the right direction. I miss you, love! Keep updating!!!!!!
LOVE YOUUU,
Jess
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