The End!

The Final Departure!

(Clockwise from Top Left): Jen P., Jen O., Hanna W., Greg S., Alice R, Maya L., Emily C., and Lisa B.

It's hard to believe that not too long ago, we were embedded in the world of Honduras and all things El Rosario. The Antioch teachers worked hard and accomplished so many things and I, for one, am extremely grateful. It is certain that those lovely, hardworking teachers that we left behind in Honduras are also very grateful, and are excited to teach new things in their classrooms. They have gathered new tools, expanded their knowledge of the development of their students, and have their very own box of brand new books! We have also learned a great deal from them, and my hope is that we will continue to discover all the many ways that we have been touched by this experience for years to come.

The Spontaneous Dance Party in the Rain!

A brand new committee was formed on this trip. Raulito, Lupe and Marilin energetically greeted us and bid us adios everyday, every hour, every minute that we had to pass by their home- whether we were in the truck or on foot. We have officially named them The Welcoming Committee And we will miss them very much.

ADIOS, Hasta Prontisimo!

Winding Down!

Thursday, 26 de Mayo
Alice

As I write, it’s raining! The thunder is booming, and a light rain is blanketing El Rosario. This is a blessing, as it has been a dry start to the rainy season, and the farmers are ready to plant their crops. We’d just returned from a sweltering hot lunch celebration at the Centro when the rain started to fall, so we had ourselves a spontaneous dance party in the front yard! Now we are on the porch, looking at photos from the past two weeks, laughing and reliving all of the amazing moments we’ve experienced here. Images of such beautiful faces smiling back at us, delighted to be sharing their classrooms, games, songs and laughter.

Today, Team Monster (me, Jen P and Maya) went to El Rosario Kinder. Yuliana had introduced the Kingdom of Silence to her class yesterday, which is a PIALI technique we learned at the workshop in San Pedro Sula. She’d also made a glorious crown to wear while being the Queen of the Kingdom of Silence! I got to be Queen while I read Where the Wild Things Are to the kids. They loved it. 

We then had them color a scene from the book that Maya and Jen had traced onto paper and copied. That was great fun. After that, we played Simon Says (Simon dice), London Bridges, Duck Duck Goose, Ring Around the Rosy, and sang a few songs. While we were in the Kinder, the older kids were crowding around and had to be shooed away a few times when it became too much of a circus.

Team Ladybug (Emily, Ana, and Gregorio) went to Tecuan, where they were surprised to find that Digna’s class was closed today, so they spent the morning with the Tecuan Kinder. They read the Lady Bug story, practicing numbers with their fingers while reading the story. They also counted animals in the book, and sang the Sesame Street numbers song.

We reunited at the Centro for a big lunch with all the teachers. After heaping plates of arroz con pollo y tortillas, we played Keep It Up with a balloon, which was a huge hit (gracias a Ana!). Emily then led us in blindfolded shoulder taps, which is a way to show appreciation to one another anonymously. I then described the lesson plan notebooks and book inventory folders that will live in each Traveling Library box. The teachers will have all of our activities and lessons from the past two weeks in the folders, and can write their own lesson plans in the notebooks to share with one another. Maya led us in a rainstorm circle, starting us out with rubbing our hands together, then snapping, then light clapping, then harder clapping, leading up to hard clapping and feet stomping, and back down again. We consider this the good omen that brought the rain this afternoon!

To close, we gifted a book to each teacher, and then we all gathered outside on the Centro steps to take a group photo. All too quickly, it was time to say goodbye and wish everyone well. It was a sad moment for us Antioch teachers.

As we prepare to leave El Rosario tomorrow, the intoxicating smell of coffee wafts from the bunk house. Nelson delivered our coffee orders (in total we ordered around 50 POUNDS of coffee) and our sizable stashes of beans are gracing our bunk beds. The rain still falls gently but steadily, and we’re all just drinking it in. The sounds of village life in El Rosario- the roosters, pigs, cows, birds, children, and faint music- mixed with the smells of fresh rain, kitchen wood fires, smoke from burning fields, animals and sticky Gringo teachers, are combining to make an unforgettable final afternoon in our host community. Add to that the sweet flavor of homemade tabletas just delivered from Albarosa, our neighbor and Health Committee member, y es una despedida muy dulce. 

More Classroom Teaching and The Traveling Library

Wednesday, May 25th 

Emily

After some lovely pancakes, it was a bumpy ride out to Los Planes for Team Ladybug, and we waved goodbye to Team Monster.

Team Ladybug, Hannah, Greg and I, approached the school to several shy, yet interested students emerging from the front gates.  We asked a few students their names, and we received some barely whispered names alongside giant smiles and wide eyes.

We went into Lilian’s classroom, which was beautifully decorated with many hand-made posters: butterfly shaped job charts, topographical maps of Honduras, the parts of plants and mushrooms, and a sign about being proud of education.  She welcomed us in to lead our lesson to the primary students.

Taking a deep breath, we started to read our story, The Grouchy Ladybug, by Eric Carle.  Slowly but surely, the students joined in the reading and hand motions and our student volunteer got the hang of the clock eventually.  We read to the Kindergarten class also.  One thing was affirmative: almost everyone loved to make the ladybug flying motion and to play “Pase la Pelota!”

We also got to observe a little bit of Lilian’s teaching.  She taught the younger students how to put syllables together for words using small interactive syllable cards. 

           

“It’s a problem because they’re very shy, and don’t like to talk very much in front of the class.  They might whisper to one another, but are timid speaking in front of groups.” 

“Also, they have to write all of their subjects in one small notebook, using one small pencil,” she continued.  “I would love it if they each had a notebook for subject.”  We helped students write their vowel lesson down, but my student was more interested in exploring my digital watch.  As soon as I would start writing with a student, six more students would crowd around watching carefully.

Snacktime came, and a community member brought hot, sweet, milk with a soft cornmeal mix in it.  They insisted on having us share the snack, and we shared a cup.  Yum!

Afterwards, Hannah bust out the clock, and got the crowd a little more comfortable responding.  We enjoyed another hora de recreo (recess hour), playing Frisbee, Simon Says, London Bridges Falling Down, and the crowning glory: the Hokey Pokey.  We felt a rush of emotion going from timid silence to dancing the Hokey Pokey! 

When we waved goodbye from the truck, the students burst through the gates and came running full steam after the truck, and our hearts almost collectively exploded with the cuteness of the scene!!  Adorable.

Team Monster also had a successful day in La Reinada, reading Where the Wild Things Are, and working with the Kinder.  The students were excited to answer and, despite an ant-covered playground, had an incredible day!  Lots of hugs ensued at their departure.

Then the afternoon workshop arrived!  Our goal, to create the traveling library was met with flying colors.  Literally.  After hearing a little bit about standardized testing and the education system in Honduras from Maura and Luz, the organization of the books began!  We sorted books into boxes, inventoried, color-coded, and decided on a rotation system.  Easier said than done!  After months of work and planning, it was really cool to see the system in action.  I can’t wait to find out next year how it’s working out. 

As we left the workshop, a dark cloud followed us out, but no rain yet!  We’ll see tomorrow.  

Coral Falso Classroom- Finally! Antioch Hits the Classrooms...

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Maya

I spent my morning today in a wonderful school located in the picturesque mountain village of Coral Falso.  Here the teacher, Beatrice, works with students ranging from 1^st grade up through 6^th grade, all in one classroom.  We (Alicia, Jennifer and me) arrived via pickup truck and walked up to the little pink school nestled into the hillside.  The view and breeze alone were worth the trip up the mountain!  Beatrice greeted us with a big smile and hugs; we had bonded earlier in the week at our workshop in San PedroJ As we walked up the hillside, faces poked out of windows and through doorways, glowing with excitement for our visit.

Beatrice escorted us into the classroom and set out chairs for us directly in front of all the students.  The students sat in pairs at desks, making three long rows in the classroom.  Each of the rows consisted of different grade levels, which I later learned is how Beatrice structures teaching a multiage classroom.  I sat closest to the 1^st graders, who would stare at me with wide eyes and shy away from questions.  Although most of the students were very shy at first, they gradually warmed up to us and gave us handshakes and hugs at the end of the school day.  Throughout the morning, we sang songs, read stories, participated in activities and played games.  During their midmorning break, we seized the opportunity to play some hand-clapping games and “Sharks and Minnows.”  I even got out on the soccer field to kick around the palota (ball).   Break may be my favorite time at the schools because then I really get a chance to interact and connect with the students through play, a common language for any child.

We also had the wonderful opportunity to observe Beatrice teaching.  She, like most teachers in Honduras, follows a very specific government mandated curriculum.  With a class of ~40 students in grades 1-6, it’s hard to imagine how she does it all.  A common technique I’ve seen here (and in Beatrice’s classroom) is teaching one grade while the other grades do independent work.  After teaching a lesson and assigning work, the teacher then moves onto another grade for a lesson.  This is repeated for all the grade levels.  When we asked how she can even manage to keep up with the curriculum, Beatrice talked about having to balance quantity and quality, as well as holding class until 2:00 pm, rather than just until 12:00pm.  I cannot even begin to imagine being in her shoes, with limited resources, multiple grade levels and a significant amount of students.  I have so much respect for Beatrice and others like her, a feeling and an awareness that I will take with me when I teach in my own classroom in the U.S. next year.