Costa Rica's Independence Day was so much fun! As you all know, I was really nervous about the run with the torch. It ended up being really awesome, though. The students were the ones that actually held the torch. They were placed at intervals along the road from Quepos to Manuel Antonio so that they didn't have to run the whole thing. It was more of a relay style type thing. We also had a fire truck with the sirens going and everything that led us down the road. It was cool because people would hear the sirens an come our of their businesses or houses and cheer us on as we ran. When we reached the school, we had an Acto Civico where they lit a larger torch that stayed lit the entire day.
Later on that night, there was a big Acto Civivo at the school. This time, though, all the people from the neighborhood and school were there. They had made lanterns from all sorts of materials and in all sorts of shapes and sizes. There were lanterns that depicted the Costa Rican shield that is on the 100 colon coin. There were others for the country flower, beach themes, ox carts...everything! Part of this Acto Civico was to walk around the town with all the lanterns lit. It was really cool. There were a ton of us and as we walked people chanted "Viva Costa Rica!". It was an awesome experience.
October 2 is English Day at school. Each class is presenting something in English and than we are having about an hour and a half of activities for the students. I am really excited for it and hope it gets the students excited about English as well. My second graders are singing a Bob Marley song, my 4a class is singing and dancing to Thriller (MJ), my 4b class is painting a jungle scene which they will share with the school and my 6th graders are doing skits. It is a lot of preparation, but the students enjoy it and I enjoy it!
That's about all that's going on here. I am taking a TEFL course this week so I will have free internet - write to me and I will actually be able to write back in a timely manner!
paz y amor mis amigos
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
School Stuff
A little update on what's going on at school. Enjoy!
2nd Grade: We are going on tour!!!!
For the past few weeks, I have been teaching my second graders the song "Stand By Me". They love it and are super cute (I even made up little dance moves for them!). The whole class gets really into it and we end up screaming most of the lyrics. Anyway, being the week before Independence Day, we have had Acto Civicos everyday. On Monday, my 2nd graders and I performed our song for the entire school at the Acto Civico. My director liked it so much, she has asked us to go to a BIG Acto Civico in Quepos (little town near mine) on Friday night to perform for them. Everyone is really, really excited, and what can I say - I am a bit proud. Now I just need to think of a new song to teach them. Any suggestions?
4th Grade - Can you say "Sparkle"?
I have been doing alphabet games with my 4th graders because they are constantly asking me to spell things for them. The only thing is, when I spell the word, they get all the letters wrong. Hence, the alphabet practice. We play all sorts of games, but their favorite is Sparkle. They come in almost everyday asking me, "Teacher, today game? Today, eh-sparkle?". I love it!
6th Grade - Class Competition!
My 6th graders have been learning about superlatives and comparatives. After spending a few days on the topic, I put together a class competition for them. I had a big score board on the white board with different categories in which they were to compete. There were things like "Who can run the fastest" and "Who has the biggest mouth (I bought marshmallows for them to stuff in their mouth). They had to break up into four groups and than nominate someone to compete in each category. It was so much fun! I had the other English teacher take pictures of it, so I will have to post them for you. The kids loved it as well. Everyone was super excited, and I think I got the concept of superlatives and comparatives across. I guess we'll see when test time comes!
That's about it. This week has been crazy with all the Acto Civicos! Monday I will be running with a torch up a long, windy, truck/car/bus driven road with a bunch of caffeinated Tico children - wish me luck!
2nd Grade: We are going on tour!!!!
For the past few weeks, I have been teaching my second graders the song "Stand By Me". They love it and are super cute (I even made up little dance moves for them!). The whole class gets really into it and we end up screaming most of the lyrics. Anyway, being the week before Independence Day, we have had Acto Civicos everyday. On Monday, my 2nd graders and I performed our song for the entire school at the Acto Civico. My director liked it so much, she has asked us to go to a BIG Acto Civico in Quepos (little town near mine) on Friday night to perform for them. Everyone is really, really excited, and what can I say - I am a bit proud. Now I just need to think of a new song to teach them. Any suggestions?
4th Grade - Can you say "Sparkle"?
I have been doing alphabet games with my 4th graders because they are constantly asking me to spell things for them. The only thing is, when I spell the word, they get all the letters wrong. Hence, the alphabet practice. We play all sorts of games, but their favorite is Sparkle. They come in almost everyday asking me, "Teacher, today game? Today, eh-sparkle?". I love it!
6th Grade - Class Competition!
My 6th graders have been learning about superlatives and comparatives. After spending a few days on the topic, I put together a class competition for them. I had a big score board on the white board with different categories in which they were to compete. There were things like "Who can run the fastest" and "Who has the biggest mouth (I bought marshmallows for them to stuff in their mouth). They had to break up into four groups and than nominate someone to compete in each category. It was so much fun! I had the other English teacher take pictures of it, so I will have to post them for you. The kids loved it as well. Everyone was super excited, and I think I got the concept of superlatives and comparatives across. I guess we'll see when test time comes!
That's about it. This week has been crazy with all the Acto Civicos! Monday I will be running with a torch up a long, windy, truck/car/bus driven road with a bunch of caffeinated Tico children - wish me luck!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Costa Rica vs. Mexico
I am currently in San Jose right now, having travelled in for the Costa Rica/Mexico futbol game last night. Although Costa Rica lost (0-3), the game was a lot of fun and I am glad I made the trip. The game started at 8pm and everyone (EVERYONE!) was wearing red. There were probably only about 300 people in from Mexico. Costa Rica ended up playing like crap but the energy in the stadium was awesome. Ticos love their futbol! We ended up sitting in the CR section (of course!) but were near the Mexico section. I probably heard more Spanish curse words in the two hours of playing than I have heard in the 8 months I have been here. There was also a lot of singing (ole ole ole ole ticos ticos...) and cheering. The strange thing about the game though, was how serious everyone became when the game actually started. There was no announcer giving the play by play, no commercials or instant replay, no dancers, nothing. When the game was going on, people sat and watched, stood up when the players got near a goal and than sat back down again. There was also no alcohol served at the game. People honestly came to the game to watch the game - a little different than in the states where I feel games are more of a social activity and the game itself is just there in the background. Costa Rica now plays Argentina next, who we will most definitely lose to and than we will officially be out of the running for the WorldCup. It's ok Costa Rica, we still love you.
Speaking of sports games, will someone please keep me updated on how the Devils are doing this year? I am assuming their season has started...?
Last bit of news - Tomorrow marks the start of Costa Rica Independence Day festivities. Independence Day here is huge, mainly because they don't really have a ton of holidays. Anyways, the actual Independence Day is on the 15th but starting tomorrow, we have Acto Civicos every morning and afternoon and than the Monday after (the 14th) Michelle and I are running with a torch and the students from Quepos, up a very windy and dangerous (no sidewalks) hill, to Manuel Antonio. I am hoping the close the road down, although I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't. I am really excited for it, though. Apparently carrying the torch is something that is done all over the country and I get to be a part of it! Wish me luck in the next couple of weeks, though, because the students are going to be crazy!
paz y amor
Speaking of sports games, will someone please keep me updated on how the Devils are doing this year? I am assuming their season has started...?
Last bit of news - Tomorrow marks the start of Costa Rica Independence Day festivities. Independence Day here is huge, mainly because they don't really have a ton of holidays. Anyways, the actual Independence Day is on the 15th but starting tomorrow, we have Acto Civicos every morning and afternoon and than the Monday after (the 14th) Michelle and I are running with a torch and the students from Quepos, up a very windy and dangerous (no sidewalks) hill, to Manuel Antonio. I am hoping the close the road down, although I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't. I am really excited for it, though. Apparently carrying the torch is something that is done all over the country and I get to be a part of it! Wish me luck in the next couple of weeks, though, because the students are going to be crazy!
paz y amor
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)