March 25, 2010

This has been such a busy week.  Something going on every day and every night.  Last night we went to a 2-year-old's birthday party. He is the son of one of the teachers at the high school.  We had great bar-be-qued pork with a rub made with sour oranges.  It was great.  Of course, beans and rice (served with every meal), and music with a DJ.  Everyone was tired and headed home early because of our adventures the night before.  Thirty+ officers from the British Army stayed here.  They were up all night partying, fighting, and creating mischief of one kind or another.  Thankfully, they left after just one night.

Two of our students are going to a resort with their classes.  They will be snorkeling and swimming.  One of the other classes had show-and-tell today.  I saw someone come in with a box of chicks.  This is an easy week before a two-week spring break for the schools.  Everyone is doing special events today and have a half-day tomorrow.

I visited a preschool yesterday and got to sit in on circle time.  The teacher was really good and she kept the children reading, discussing, and singing for 45 minutes.  She told me that the government runs the preschools so they are part of the school system.  Children only go from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.  They are suppose to begin preschool when they are 2 years and 9 months old but many start much earlier, barely 2.  They finish preschool at 4 and move right away into first grade.  There is no kindergarten.  The teacher said there is a gap in what the children know from preschool to first grade-they are suppose to be play-based in preschool with no writing or reading.  However, without kindergarten, first grade teachers expect them to come in writing their names and reading some things.  Preschool has to do more teaching so the children are ready.

I also visited the San Pedro Town library yesterday.  I got a membership for $1.50 US.  They have a lot of books that have been donated to them.  The librarian is having Easter activities for the kids next week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  They will have arts and crafts in the morning from 10-12 noon and storytime in the afternoon from 2:30-4:30 p.m.  I asked if she needed help and she is eager to include our students in the planning and carrying out of the activities.

Yesterday, Becca shared the friendship bracelets that her 4th graders in the US made for her 4th graders here.  They were thrilled.  They also got a letter from the child in Wilmington.  The kids here are going to write back to the ones in Wilmington and make them a bracelet.  I am going to help Stephanie teach a first grade class this afternoon.  Her class used watercolors for the first time yesterday.

Tonight six of the elementary students are helping at the Arts Festival in town.  They will be serving food for their school.  The others will be working on craft ideas for the librarian.