Well friends if there is one phrase to describe my life since the 1st week of school it would be..."LIFE IN THE FAST LANE!!" This is how I have felt for the past 2 weeks as I have blown and gone from one thing to the next. Whether it's planning lessons, team meetings, going to the beach for an entire weekend, etc I feel as if I haven't fully had time to stop the comotion around me. A little overwhelming, but I have made it through and am now on the other side where I feel more comfortable in my skin as a "teacher".
The first couple weeks of school we did an amusement park project in all grades of math where our students constructed 1 attraction that would be at an amusement park. They created roller coasters, games, ferris wheeels, swings, etc. They turned out wonderful!! Pictures will be up tomorrow, so check back then.
Sara (mentor teacher) likes to start the year off with a fairly easy hands on project that incorporates math, yet at the same time makes everyone feel successful in math. The stereotype for math in the states as well as in the DR is math is hard and they can't do it, so they don't try. It's also doesn't come naturally to them seeing how in this culture nothing is really done on logic or sequence; more on feeling and the relational side of things. Sara definitely understands this and goes out of her way to design lessons that appeal to them and increase their understanding. They respect her alot and they say she is the favorite teacher although she is very hard and demands alot from them. It's cool to see that in action everyday! I am very blessed to be learning from her.
Well that is all for now from the DR...until next time...