Another week of teaching and exploring has come and gone! It is hard to believe, but I have just finished week nine. My time here is now 3/4 of the way done!
Just as with every other Monday, the day started with a school-wide assembly. A local nurse came to speak to the school about the Zika virus—tips for prevention as well as symptoms. Naturally, that led to 4 or 5 of my students diagnosing themselves with the virus. Don’t worry, by the next day they had all forgotten about their self-diagnoses! We had a bit of a scavenger hunt in general science. The students moved around the room finding fifteen different clues relating to adaptations, decomposers, consumers, and producers. The students loved being able to move around the room and seek out clues. All of my students have so much energy, so they embrace every opportunity to move around the room.
Just as with every other Monday, the day started with a school-wide assembly. A local nurse came to speak to the school about the Zika virus—tips for prevention as well as symptoms. Naturally, that led to 4 or 5 of my students diagnosing themselves with the virus. Don’t worry, by the next day they had all forgotten about their self-diagnoses! We had a bit of a scavenger hunt in general science. The students moved around the room finding fifteen different clues relating to adaptations, decomposers, consumers, and producers. The students loved being able to move around the room and seek out clues. All of my students have so much energy, so they embrace every opportunity to move around the room.
If you own a calendar, you know that Tuesday was the first of March, which means I go home this month! Although I am excited, it was a pretty bittersweet realization. A number of my students came running into he classroom in the morning and heaved a sigh of relief when they saw me. They know I am leaving in March; however, they forgot what day I am leaving. One of my students said, “Teacher Taylor, I thought you were leaving today, but then I remembered you aren’t leaving yet and I was so relieved!” When it finally comes time to leave, it will be such a sad departure!
Recently, my cooperating teacher and I have been noticing that our students have been having a hard time following directions. Rather than delivering some kind of lecture or lengthy reminder, I decided to let them make the realization on their own. I created an activity with extensive directions for the students, the last direction tells the students that all they should do is write their name at the top of the paper. Surprisingly, only one student did it correctly! It was a fun way to help the students recognize the importance of reading directions carefully prior to starting a task.
On Friday, the Montessori Centre had our sports day! Unlike the name suggests, the “sports day” was only track events. Each student in the school is placed in one of four houses—Mango, Soursop, Guava, Sugar Apple—that serve as teams. As you have now probably deduced from the title of this blog, I was placed in the Sugar Apple house. If you know me well, you probably know how competitive I am. As a teacher, I am inclined to see all students succeed; however, on sports day, I was able to cheer a little louder for the students in my house. After each race, the houses are awarded points based on the place each student finished in. Guess what…SUGAR APPLE WON! There are still a number of other events such as basketball, swimming, and tennis that the houses can win points for. Even though I got a bit sunburnt, it was such a fun day!
Recently, my cooperating teacher and I have been noticing that our students have been having a hard time following directions. Rather than delivering some kind of lecture or lengthy reminder, I decided to let them make the realization on their own. I created an activity with extensive directions for the students, the last direction tells the students that all they should do is write their name at the top of the paper. Surprisingly, only one student did it correctly! It was a fun way to help the students recognize the importance of reading directions carefully prior to starting a task.
On Friday, the Montessori Centre had our sports day! Unlike the name suggests, the “sports day” was only track events. Each student in the school is placed in one of four houses—Mango, Soursop, Guava, Sugar Apple—that serve as teams. As you have now probably deduced from the title of this blog, I was placed in the Sugar Apple house. If you know me well, you probably know how competitive I am. As a teacher, I am inclined to see all students succeed; however, on sports day, I was able to cheer a little louder for the students in my house. After each race, the houses are awarded points based on the place each student finished in. Guess what…SUGAR APPLE WON! There are still a number of other events such as basketball, swimming, and tennis that the houses can win points for. Even though I got a bit sunburnt, it was such a fun day!
Friday night Brittney and I headed to the street party to get fish. I got my favorite, barracuda, and as usual, it was delicious! Later, I had the opportunity to FaceTime so many people back home! My cousin Ellie was giving me updates on my brother’s game, and decided it would be easier to simply FaceTime me into the game. After the game was over I was able to talk to my brother, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and even some family friends! On Saturday, Brittney and I went on a little adventure to Castries, the capital of St. Lucia. We successfully took a bus there; however, that was where the real adventure started. While on the bus, we asked a woman for directions to the market. After wandering aimlessly for thirty minutes and asking two other women for directions, we finally found it! We spent the afternoon buying souvenirs for family and friends back home. We found some awesome deals, and I can’t wait to give everyone their gifts! Brittney and I spent Sunday afternoon and evening at her principal’s house with a number of teachers from her school. I spent a significant amount of time playing dominoes which reminded me of being at my Grandma Baltus’s house! Sadly I had a headache most of the day, but it was still a great time. |
As my time here is winding down, I am starting to miss home more and more. I don’t only miss my family and friends, but also food, drinks, and simple luxuries that I took for granted. Although I am really looking forward to being home, I am still doing my best to enjoy every minute here.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord
your God will be with you wherever you go.”
—Joshua 1:9--
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord
your God will be with you wherever you go.”
—Joshua 1:9--