Teaching

Things have been going great here at La Ola!  Summer is over, the kids are back in school, and I have been given a new job.  I am now the teacher for 3 (ages 10, 11 & 13) of the girls here.  (They haven't had much schooling and are catching up.)  For those of you who know me well, you know that I have NEVER wanted to be a teacher. Ever.  Back in the States, when people would ask me if I were going to use my English Major to teach I would sometimes get frustrated and say, "No, I want to write!"

I'm not sure how teaching in America works (although I know what learning in America is like) but here at La Ola it goes a little bit like this:


We start class at 7:30 a.m. everyday with Spelling.  I'm currently teaching Spelling, Reading, Art, Math, Science & Geography.  I teach all of these class in Spanish/English.  (This has really improved my Spanish as well!)  I really love teaching my three girls here because it's in a small setting.  And I really love challenging them and watching them learn new things.

For instance, today in Science we were talking about soil and what it's purpose was.  (Last week we talked about plants and how they grow, etc)  I told them that for our Science Project on Monday were going to build a compost bin and see what happens for a few months.  They asked me what would happen after the fruits and veggies were put in the bin, and I told them it would eventually be turned into composted soil.  There mouths dropped open in amazement!  It's so awesome to see them learning and understanding how things work.  I can't wait to teach them about outer space!  They just finished a leaf collection project where they had to find and label 15 or more leaves.  It really got the younger girls to learn about how to do research.  Also, during the first week they planted a bean seed and watched it grow...that is until our new little girl, Enkerlin (age 1) got into our tiny flower pots.  That's what happens when you teach at home.  :)  I'll have them plant some sunflower seeds soon as a replacement though.

In Spelling, the girls get 10 new words to learn each week. During that week they have to write the definitions, write them 10x's, write sentences, write a short story with the words and have a test.

The younger girls, Ana & Nayeli, are reading Peter Pan out loud every day and learning about Characters, Setting, Climax & Plot.  This is one subject that I'm trying to work the most on because they are a bit behind with their reading levels.  My older girl, Angeles, is reading Treasure Island and also learning about the parts of a story.  I'm also going to get her used to writing outlines, first drafts, final drafts and doing oral reports.

Art is our creative outlet class that we have everyday.  Since manga is my forte, and they love anime & manga here, I've decided to show them how to draw that type of art first or until they get sick of it.  So far they absolutely love it and are asking for more.  So I've lined up lots of how to draw emotions, eyes, hair, hands, legs, bodies, clothes etc.  I really love teaching this class! :)   

Math is one of the subjects that I have lots of people who are willing to help me on.  A few people come a couple times a week to teach the girls the Math they need.  On the days those ladies aren't there, I drill the girls on multiplication and try to get them to memorize their multiplication tables as well.   We do lots of writing on the board and worksheets to get them plenty of practice.

They haven't really had an experience with a geography class so I've started at the beginning with all of them for this class.  We've been learning about to make maps the past few weeks.  This week we have started learning about the surrounding states of Jalisco and we will eventually work our way out from there.  I also want them to write short papers about the culture of the different states and countries along with giving oral reports on different places.

Even though it is so much fun teaching these girls, there are days when they have behavior issues and try to close up on me.  I just have to keep telling them that they can do anything they set their mind to and that even though they are behind in school that they are catching up fast and have already learned so much in these last 2 weeks.

I also have a couple of field trips planned, which really doesn't happen in the public schools here.  I plan to take the girls to a couple different museums (History, Science and Art) in Guadalajara.

So far, I really love teaching the girls here, and I'm excited to see them continue to learn.  Thank you so much for being part of my ministry through your prayers and financial support.  I wouldn't be able to do any of this without your help!  Know that I think and pray for you often. :)

Erin.


P.S.  Also, September 10th, I will be starting my classes for my Master's Degree in Theology & Ministry!  I'm really excited about this! :)