Monday and Tuesday, Oct 5 and 6

Monday
A Monday…what else can I say. Overall it was a good day, there were just a few times when there were too many kids saying my name and that they don’t understand; so I try again to explain the concepts and they don’t pay attention and I get even more frustrated. It’s really hard during the recesses of the elementary, too because even though we’ve been better about keeping the kids in their part of the building and not in the hallways of the classes still in session, it can still be really loud. So I think it’s loud in my classroom, but it’s actually noise from outside. That happens twice a day. There was one time today where I had to say “If I don’t hear quiet at the count of 3, I will take a letter of EARLY RECESS away (my reward system).” So I count, “1..2…3” and it is silent; it surprised me so much I just started smiling and then the kids starting smiling and laughing…it was cute. We came back after school to our house and just did normal evening things: convos, grading, relax, read, etc. One of Laura Beth’s students had brought her food that day so we had the tamales and tortillas they had given her. It still amazes me the generosity of people here; I need to learn from them.

Tuesday
Some days here I wonder why I am teaching; I didn’t go to school for this; I am not qualified. Then there are other days like today, which I still have moments of frustration, but I find myself falling more in love with my kids and therefore it makes my job more enjoyable. Just some of the things they tell me, whether serious or funny; and the questions they ask and really beginning to see the differences and strengths and weaknesses of each one is great. I’ve had a problem with some groups of kids that cannot sit by each other or they talk too much and get distracted so I am still in the pursuit of the perfect seating chart. This will probably never be accomplished since there are kids who will talk and be distracted no matter where they sit. But I’m going to try. I had 2 more parent meetings today about my student’s grades. One was in Spanish and the other in English. Again, I am so frustrated with myself that I haven’t been practicing and studying Spanish so it was still so difficult for me to communicate what I wanted to this parent in Spanish; Mr. Lara helped me out there. It’s just by the time I get home, grade and organize for the next day, hang out with my housemates and have dinner, I’m not too motivated to learn Spanish grammar and verbs. I may just have to buckle down, study, and then SPEAK. Another random thing..one of my students brought a turtle for our new fountain at school; so we have a new mascot, Bernardo the turtle and all of the kids (and some of the administration) are obsessed with it and how it’s doing. It’s hilarious to watch.