This past week was our first week of school and I made the kids work real hard.
I would rather start with high expectations and then tone it down.....
To reward their wonderful week with me, I handed out material.
All classes get index cards provided by my super amigo Dave W. who has supplied me for the past years. They learn verbs with these, great way to
have them quiz each other at the beginning of every class and before oral tests. This brand new to me 7th grade class has their index cards and they
got pens. On the index cards on one side they write COMER and on the other they write EAT ATE EATEN. So they learn how to say each tense and write
it as well. 9 verbs learned last week or 18 words total. Pretty good!
The 8th graders is a very small group of 14 which makes for a lot of individual time with each one. They all got index cards with this years
irregular verbs and for doing well they got pencils. English is NOT easy for this group - many of them have serious issues at home with alcoholic
parents/drugs/extreme poverty. But they are very near and dear to me and all of them stop by the house in the afternoons to chat.
As I look at the pictures, I see that there is nothing on the walls yet - it is actually a challenge to put something up since the walls are concrete.
And of course, I just pop in to teach English - those walls belong to their regular curriculum teacher.
This last group is extremely bright and keep me on my toes. Was it Kurt that brought me reading material last year? It was a bajanomad and I am so
grateful since the school offers a book that has so many grammar and spelling mistakes I can't use it! Those donated books are the ones I used last
year and will use with the 9th graders from now on. They are working on regular verbs this year. They look at me cross-eyed when I tell them that
worked is pronounced workt!
Howard - 8-28-2016 at 10:59 AM
Blanca, it is with deepest respect I salute you and your noble profession.
"If kids come to us from strong, healthy functioning families, it makes our job easier. If they do not come to us from strong, healthy,
functioning families, it makes our job more important."
-Barbara Colorose
[Edited on 8-28-2016 by Howard]David K - 8-28-2016 at 11:16 AM
Thanks for sharing Blanca, and the work that you do!Lee - 8-28-2016 at 11:18 AM
Blanca, it is with deepest respect I salute you and your noble profession.
Ditto. TMW - 8-28-2016 at 11:29 AM
They are the future, thanks Blanca.KurtG - 8-28-2016 at 12:32 PM
No, we brought notebooks and other supplies and made a little contribution but no books. pauldavidmena - 8-28-2016 at 03:32 PM
My daughter and her husband are both teachers in the U.S., a thankless, underpaid profession without which we would all spend even more time in front
of our computers, TVs or smart phones. Your willingness to give of yourself in this way humbles spoiled computer hacks like me.BajaBlanca - 8-28-2016 at 03:48 PM
I mean to inspire! all of you and all the kids!
Now I am truly curious as to what angel brought those books I so love?
I found this picture of the box:
and this one of last year's kids using the books:
Hmmmmm who brought them.....maybe John??? Who also brought me all the business ties???
FESS UP! BajaBlanca - 8-28-2016 at 04:10 PM
I found him! and many other wonderful souls, in this report I did last year:
So, it was a guest to our B&B named Greg!basautter - 8-28-2016 at 05:33 PM
Nice work, and the kids look like they are having fun cliffh - 8-29-2016 at 03:53 PM
those kids in your town are so lucky to have someone like you!!!!!All the best C&CBajaBlanca - 8-29-2016 at 08:57 PM
These kids keep me on my toes! Keep my brain churning.
I really like when they tell me something I don't know: we did music last year, I had never heard of One Direction! kimberleygd - 9-5-2016 at 06:15 AM
I taught my English class a bit of "Let It Be" by the Beatles last year, they were so intent on learning it we used it for our open class at the end
of the year (4 year olds) They are just like little sponges!Bajahowodd - 9-5-2016 at 03:34 PM
Other than the fact that DK's wife is called Baja Angel, You would be my very first choice for that name. You are so awesome with what you are doing.
I'm certain there will be a VERY special place in heaven for you.ElCap - 9-6-2016 at 07:20 AM
Great work Blanca. We'll be heading down to San Ignacio this winter, so we will definitely bring down more supplies for you. I'll be in touch later
to see what your needs are.BajaBlanca - 9-6-2016 at 11:27 AM
