Lesson of the week- Teaching can be Tiring

   October 21-27

   Last week was the busiest I've had yet! Everyday I had at least one thing going on each day!! Monday, I had M´ARCA after school, by the time I got home it was already 6 and I still had to plan for Tuesday.
   On Tuesday, I was teaching math. I found out that math is not my particular forte to teach or to learn...hahahaha! Mena's mom came in that day to stay a few days and on Friday took Lani with her to Manta.
   On Wednesday, I had M'ARCA and then I had to get home quickly because Tyler and Luis, two guys from the Misahualli school, were staying with us. All the teachers came to observe us and get new techniques. The school decided to get a fresh and new teachers. They are either fresh out of college or have never taught before!
   So on Thursday, we had a meeting together ,all the teachers from both school, to talk about classroom procedures and planning. I am very proud of myself because I introduced myself in Spanish....I botched a few words, but they all helped me. After I was done everyone applauded!!!!! It was my few seconds of fame!!
   Friday, we had the teachers come and observe us. There were only two people who officially came and observed us and they were Robert and Tyler. Luis popped in a few times when he wasn't busy! After we went home and ate lunch, we (Richard, Tyler, and I) took Mena's mom and Lani to the airport and then we went to a book store for Tyler! It was really fun...because we were all so tired, whenever someone said something remotely funny we laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world!!
   Some guys who go to Montebello are in a band and on Saturday, they had a gig. I've gotten to know them because they also go to the same church as me! A friend and I went to see them play!! It was really fun!! It was at times crazy, but so worth being crazy! Afterwards we all hung out and got a bite to eat!

 You can see everyone, but the drummer!! Sorry Nico!

Isabel and I outside getting some air!

The guys did some crazy thing when ever the music

get really fast! They would go in a circle and

kick their legs like they are in some sort of tribal dance!

 

P.S. Next weekend I'm going to Manta....but don't worry, you'll be able to read all about in another post! :)

 

Emily P. Sayres

Sick and M'ARCA

  Oct. 14-20   
    The next week I was sick!! I had started to get a little something the Thursday before I left to go to the jungle...I guess the traveling and altitude made it worse! I was tired, I had congestion, my ears were clogged up, and during the middle of the week I was losing my voice. For those who don't know me that well, I have lost my voice twice...one because I was really sick and other because I was screaming and singing off tune at a concert!!! So it was weird and unusual! I am almost all the 100% percent better (thank you Mom for all those meds you packed)!!

      At the same time I was sick, I started the M'ARCA tutoring! M'ARCA is a tutoring organization for the kids who live around the school, who can learn different skills: from English to Music and everything in between. I teach the English of this program to 4 and 5 as well as 8 and 9. I have to plan out the hour and tell my helpers what to do. The helpers are the sophomores and juniors of Montebello!! They are so helpful and nice! Whenever the students don't understand what I am saying in English, the students from Montebello are my translators. I tutor each grade every Monday and Wednesday. So I don't home until 6 sometimes!! I love it because it's giving me a taste of planning and what techniques do and don't work. Each month has a different theme and October is body parts and how they work, so there has been a lot of head-shoulder-knees-and toes. I found a really cool video for both ages so that was a huge burden off my shoulders!!! November's theme is family, so if you have any suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated. The kids know hardly any English so it is sometimes difficult to find ideas and plans that I could use.