Tiempo para Escuela!

Playing memory games with the 3rd graders

As the school year begins to wrap up back home, classes here are just getting started. And guess who goes to school every morning at 8am with the rest of the kids? That's right, us! But not to learn our times tables or practice spelling (even though I could probably work on both), nope, we are the four newest teachers at the Pulyucana Primaria, or elementary school. We work with the kids every morning for 2 hours and we take turns teaching English and Computer skills to each grade.

So many kids, so few computers...

Each class is different and sometimes we are able to teach numbers, colors, and greetings in one class period. Other times (like when there are 44 first graders in one class), we don't quite cover as much material. One teacher asked me and Liz to sing a song to the class in English. We had not exactly put that in our lesson plan, but they got a kick out of us singing "Good Mornin'", from "Singin in the Rain". As for computer classes, it was a little challenging deciding how to structure a class that included 30 students but only 3 computers... With a lot of sharing, a little extra time and a pinch of patience; we have managed just fine. It is interesting to discover that there are still some kids in the world who don't know how to play computer games, or use a mouse for that matter.

Look at me writing on the chalkboard like a teacher!

Liz helping kids with their questions

It has been very interesting to learn more about the school system here and we understand a little more about how classes and homework works here. In many ways the school here is like those back home; there are lots of energetic kids, classrooms with cute little pictures and chalkboards or whiteboards on the wall. In some ways it is a little different... Remember that cute little nursery rhyme about the lamb following Mary to school? Well here it actually happens, except with dogs. One day there were 2 or 3 dogs just running around the school, and classes carried on as normal. It is also very different to be the person at the front of the classroom, and I now have sympathy for all of my old elementary school teachers. I find myself thinking things I am sure every teacher has thought, like, "This seemed like a much better idea when I planned it..." or "Is anyone even listening?". I think I got a glimpse into the life of a teacher. Some days it is hard, really hard. Sometimes you feel like there is no way anyone is learning anything you are trying to teach. But once in a while, the entire class can answer your question, or you see a child all of a sudden understand what you have been explaining, or the entire 4th grade class will take turns giving you hugs when you have to leave. And that is why you are a teacher, because you want these kids to become all that they can be.

Erin teaching a group how a mouse works

Special thanks to elementary school teachers every where, and especially my wonderful roommate; who taught me what it means to be passionate about teaching.