Instead of each teacher having their own classroom while the students travel from class to class, students have their permanent classroom and teachers have to travel from class to class. We all have our desks organized by department in the teacher's lounge (one big room). During the times we teachers don't have class, we are working in the lounge. I don't particularily agree with this method of scheduling, but, what do I know- I'm just a 1st year volunteer.
Well, today, after a homeroom session in which we were missing 12 desks, started with an all school Mass in the gymnasium . (I'll have to take a picture of it; it is a cement floor with a tin canopy over it.) Girls sit on the bleachers (cement levels) and the boys have to carry their desks from their homeroom into the gym and then back again afterward. After Mass, each of the teachers, staff and volunteers were introduced. The students went wild for the teachers they loved, but when it came to new volunteers, such as myself, I could literally hear the crickets in the background. Haha! We began our shortened schedule of classes afterward. I had 2nd form boys first, who were very energetic and fun. Because of the shortened schedule, I barely even got through my ice breaker in each class. I had each student fill out an interest inventory (short questionnaire) about a partner and then they had to introduce them. I told them that whoever gave the most entertaining or creative presentation would get an automatic 100% on the pop quiz later in the class. I told them I’ll still give the pop quiz tomorrow, so I think it freaked them out a big. Good. I’ve got them scared already.
After my boys class, I left campus and went to the rectory for lunch. Another helping of rice, beans and stewed chicken. I thought I liked the fried bananas, but I’m starting to think otherwise. I need to get some more veggies in my diet, so I am hoping to go to the market this weekend to pick some up.
I finished off the day with my 2nd and 1st form classes of girls. I got to the same point with those classes too, so a pop quiz is in order for tomorrow. GET EXCITED! I have yet to announce my winners of a pop quiz perfect score, but that also builds the anticipation. On the interest inventory, my last task was for them to write a couple of personal questions for me on the back. (Here in Belize we are expected to be a lot more open with our students than I would ever be in the states.) Here are some of the funny questions I got:
The most popular one was, “do you have a boyfriend?”
Can I visit you one day?
How old are you?
Do you have any children?
What is your phone number?
What is your favorite song from Justin Bieber?
What is your parent’s contact information? (That was one of the questions I had on the inventory)
Are you married?
Do you like to give demerits?
I’ll use these questions on Turn Around Tuesdays where I start class by picking one of the question to answer about me.
We weren’t supposed to have Mass today; it was supposed to be on Wednesday, so I didn’t anticipate the schedule being so short. I didn’t get a chance to even touch my policies and procedures, so I guess I’ll just have to push everything back. I guess the #1 thing I’ve learned in my teaching experience is flexibility, but here, it is taken to a whole new level- to the extreme. It’s kind of overwhelming, but everything will work itself out. I’m not worried.
Side note: students here are so worried about getting their backpacks dirty that they won't let them touch the ground! The keep them on their laps for the whole class. One kid was wearing it during class, so I said, "Get comfy and stay awhile," but he freaked out when I asked him to take his bag and put it on the ground.
Also, they always call the girl teacher "Miss" (pronounced "Mees"). I am Miss Shelby. I will also be trained to respond to "Miss! Miss!"
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