I need help from the states!

Alright...as most of you know, I am dealing with a different type of breed when it comes to kids down here in Costa Rica. They have challenged me beyond belief these past two weeks and really made me think when it comes to discipline and my attitude towards teaching. After talking with a few people, including past volunteers and my sister, I have developed a new discipline plan. The only thing is, I need help from the states. Here it is:

It is called English Shop. Basically, everyday I write the words English Shop on the board. Then, throughout the lesson, if the class gets out of control, I see objects or students go flying across the room, or I happen to be yelled at or hit in the stomach, I erase a letter. At the end of the lesson, myself and two of my students count and record how many letters they have left. This is the amount of points they have earned for that day. We will continue this until the class reaches 150 points. Then we will have English Shop. This is where I need your help!

Ticos (people from Costa Rica) LOVE fun school supplies. I have to make my kids take out one pencil and one pencil only during class otherwise we would get nothing done due to the fact that they would write every word in a different color. They also use rulers to make straight lines on EVERYTHING! I don't really understand the fascination but it is there. So what I am asking for is cool, fun and exciting school supplies. This includes things like gel pens, fun erasers, colored pencils, or anything else that it fun.

Now, my mom just tried to send me a package to see if I receive things at my house. I should be receiving them in the next 10 days or so. If and when I receive them, I will post an address you can send things to. I just wanted to put out the word so that you can start keeping your eyes out and picking stuff up. I know Target usually has some good stuff at the dollar spot or even the dollar store. I just need some good stuff because the better the first English Shop is, the easier it will be to do the second English Shop because they will know what there is to win and this will act as incentive for better behavior! Thank you all so much for you help and I will be posting an address as soon as I can!

Now, as for my week, it was better...kind of. I still definitely had challenges and i different schedule almost every single day. The kids were pretty much the same if not a little bit better. The Ministry of Education was also at our school all day on Friday looking at files and documents of kids who have been held back. Kids being held back is very common in Costa Rica. This means I have fourth graders who are supposed to be in 6th grade and 2nd graders who are supposed to be in 4th. These are usually the kids who are difficult discipline-wise. Hopefully the Ministry was able to work something out to help those kids. It will make my life easier as their teacher!

Once again, thank you for all your help! Remember, as of right now, English Shop is what is keeping me sane!

Feliz Cumpleanos mas tarde Maw Maw!

Love you all!