Teaching On Our Own - by Haley

Tuesday was an exciting day at the school for David and myself. Two of the teachers at the San Marcos school were attending a workshop in Choluteca, so David and I taught the Kindergarten class by ourselves. It wasn´t too far from the normal routine; we just had to manage the 2-hour morning class period without the usual Honduran profesora in the classroom. Although fun, this proved to be a little more challenging than expected: apparently kids don´t listen to substitute teachers as well they listen to the real thing. Who knew? :)

Shelly prepared some arts-and-crafts for us to do, and David and I planned out an English lesson - teaching the children colors by giving them coloring pages with the English words printed on it, similar to a color-by-number. Many of the Kindergarteners were excited to learn and listened well. But a few (aka 4 out of 5 boys present) had a little too much energy and didn´t seem to want to pay attention. That made it a little difficult to keep them quiet so that we could explain directions and help the others. When we finished the English coloring lesson, we let them have some play time. This became a little chaotic as a few of the boys decided to have a screaming contest (indoors), but apparently we didn´t bother the other classes too much.

After lunch we had an extended recess. This was GREAT! The kids taught me some new games, and by the time we went inside, the Kindergarteners were well worn out. Señora Sandra brought her Preparatory class (the grade between Kindergarten and First) into our classroom, where she and I took turns reading to the two classes until the parents came to retrieve their kids.

Overall, it really was a fun day. It was an accomplishment, for sure. And I think my Spanish is getting better. My sentences are coming together more quickly, and I´m beginning to understand better what others are saying. I´m looking forward to going to the school again tomorrow.

Haley