I predicted that today was going to be hectic teaching all grades: 3rd, 4th and 5th grade plus an extra english lesson for my little brother, Ceasar Raul! Like most scientist find that there predictions are wrong. It went great, couldn't have asked for a better three lessons. I planned for what I thought I should do at the beginning of the week but have found that nothing has worked out to plan. It makes me laugh because no matter the most detailed plan always changes based on time, space, and people. What never changes is the fact that it will change.
The kids seem super, super excited about science with me trying to convey this is there opportunity to explore, create and ask questions. I am learning about the very traditional Ecuadorian education through the behaviors, habits and questions I am receiving. Do I have to use red pen for the questions and blue pen for the answers? Do I have to copy everything down? Along with the question of "how do I spell this word? But most of all "No intendi", I don't understand. I have having to use hand motions, pictures on the board and mostly trying to use similar words in Spanish that I know sound the same. At Corvian, if a child didn't understand I knew they were not understanding content but with these kids not speaking english, getting them to understand simple directions can be a challenge. I think God had the plan for me to start with the little ones to grow my patience, voice tone, and passion.
I don't have many supplies being considered an "assistant" so I am having to be resourceful. It was stressing me out at the beginning but now I am finding I like having to think outside the box to come up with ideas on no budget. I have let go of the thought if I am doing it "right" and have started just using compassion. If I can show this to the kids, I believe I will have done a good job. Science I am finding will teach it's self because it requires exploration and thought. At this age kids instinually have these traits. Its the red and blue pens that slowly deteriorate this ability. My goal for this year is to teach them how to be scientist in the way they are thorough without boxing them in creativily. If I do not give them the answers then they will learn. It seems like a simple idea but you want them to get it right away. I want to help but learned by telling them you have robbed them of the experience of learning.
All in all this week started with me being very homesick and questioning why I had choosen to uproot my life and move to a place I don't speak the language fluently, don't have a car and have given up the comforts of "home". My dad told me that I would not have moved if I was happy in Charlotte so maybe this change is hard but it was needed. He explained that this is a choice to be here, not a requirement. When I get to the point, if ever, I am feeling trapped then maybe I need to reevaluate why I did move and decided if I need to make a different choice. These thoughts alone completely washed away my anxieties and brought me back to a place of comfort. Comfort in the fact I am choosing to be here and to enjoy everyday for the experience of living to be ALIVE.
For those of you wondering, I have figured out the ride situation. I get a ride each morning to the main rode from my Uncle Raul and then cross the eight lanes of traffic on the cross walk. The crosswalk and I have a new relationship of necessity and admiration. Once I get across, I stand at the bus stop until my friend from school picks me up. Busses are passing with men peering through the pollution stained windows, cars are honking after being cut off and one long transit cop is waving cars through red lights. It is choas to law-obeying American driver but to an Ecuadorian it is liberating. Its about a 20 minute process but it keeps me from paying for a taxi which I am stoked about!! I guess I won't need to start a taxi fund after all:)
The kids seem super, super excited about science with me trying to convey this is there opportunity to explore, create and ask questions. I am learning about the very traditional Ecuadorian education through the behaviors, habits and questions I am receiving. Do I have to use red pen for the questions and blue pen for the answers? Do I have to copy everything down? Along with the question of "how do I spell this word? But most of all "No intendi", I don't understand. I have having to use hand motions, pictures on the board and mostly trying to use similar words in Spanish that I know sound the same. At Corvian, if a child didn't understand I knew they were not understanding content but with these kids not speaking english, getting them to understand simple directions can be a challenge. I think God had the plan for me to start with the little ones to grow my patience, voice tone, and passion.
I don't have many supplies being considered an "assistant" so I am having to be resourceful. It was stressing me out at the beginning but now I am finding I like having to think outside the box to come up with ideas on no budget. I have let go of the thought if I am doing it "right" and have started just using compassion. If I can show this to the kids, I believe I will have done a good job. Science I am finding will teach it's self because it requires exploration and thought. At this age kids instinually have these traits. Its the red and blue pens that slowly deteriorate this ability. My goal for this year is to teach them how to be scientist in the way they are thorough without boxing them in creativily. If I do not give them the answers then they will learn. It seems like a simple idea but you want them to get it right away. I want to help but learned by telling them you have robbed them of the experience of learning.
All in all this week started with me being very homesick and questioning why I had choosen to uproot my life and move to a place I don't speak the language fluently, don't have a car and have given up the comforts of "home". My dad told me that I would not have moved if I was happy in Charlotte so maybe this change is hard but it was needed. He explained that this is a choice to be here, not a requirement. When I get to the point, if ever, I am feeling trapped then maybe I need to reevaluate why I did move and decided if I need to make a different choice. These thoughts alone completely washed away my anxieties and brought me back to a place of comfort. Comfort in the fact I am choosing to be here and to enjoy everyday for the experience of living to be ALIVE.
For those of you wondering, I have figured out the ride situation. I get a ride each morning to the main rode from my Uncle Raul and then cross the eight lanes of traffic on the cross walk. The crosswalk and I have a new relationship of necessity and admiration. Once I get across, I stand at the bus stop until my friend from school picks me up. Busses are passing with men peering through the pollution stained windows, cars are honking after being cut off and one long transit cop is waving cars through red lights. It is choas to law-obeying American driver but to an Ecuadorian it is liberating. Its about a 20 minute process but it keeps me from paying for a taxi which I am stoked about!! I guess I won't need to start a taxi fund after all:)