Taken from Compassion International's website:
Education in Honduras:
The typical school year runs from February through November. Education is compulsory from ages seven through 12. Only 58 percent of primary-school-age students reach the fifth grade. According to Honduras' National Statistics Institute (INE), on average, Hondurans complete 5.4 years of schooling. Undergraduate education is only reached by 5.3 percent of the population and graduate studies by 0.2 percent. There is one government-run and several private-run universities in Honduras, along with various trade schools. In urban areas of the country, Hondurans are more aware than their rural neighbors of the importance of education. Although many parents desire education for their children, it is often more important for children to help provide for their families, especially in the country; and because of this, the dropout rate is higher. In addition, the education provided by the government is poor in most cases, from inadequate facilities to teachers constantly going on strike and delaying the school year. There is a sense of helplessness among parents who desire good education for their children but can only afford a public education.
Anonymous "Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate."
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
When You Wished You Lived in Honduras..........
So..... we just received a call saying that there is a taxi strike tomorrow. This means...............
NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thus, I'm currently viewing a movie........... this is wonderful!
NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thus, I'm currently viewing a movie........... this is wonderful!
"Cold" Honduran weather
Interesting cultural tidbit from today:
It was about 63 degrees today and everyone was freezing. Granted, it was raining and windy, so I was chilled a few times myself. However, it's really funny to hear Hondurans complaining about this being such cold weather. Several people today were wearing small gloves and hats.
Also, both Jenna and I got our hair cut over the weekend. My kids responded by saying, "Ay, Miss, you look so beautiful" or "Wow, you cut your hair!" I wore my glasses today, and one of my students said to me, "Miss, you are making so many changes!" Jenna's kindergarteners, on the other hand, told her that she looked like an abuela (grandma). Maybe because her hair is short and curly? Who knows, but I think her hair looks pretty cute.
Also, maids here don't get much say in things. One of my students said that her parents were gone so they could not sign her assignment notebook. I told her to have the maid sign it, but she said "she does not have a signature." From what I understand, maids really don't have a signature, because it is a sign of status or something that defines you.
The Honduran teachers' office is right by our classroom, so today the music teacher invited me to come and grade papers in their office. That was really nice of her, and as a result, I was introduced to more of the Honduran faculty. I really enjoyed it, as I was the only "gringa" in the room and got to speak in Spanish a little.
It was about 63 degrees today and everyone was freezing. Granted, it was raining and windy, so I was chilled a few times myself. However, it's really funny to hear Hondurans complaining about this being such cold weather. Several people today were wearing small gloves and hats.
Also, both Jenna and I got our hair cut over the weekend. My kids responded by saying, "Ay, Miss, you look so beautiful" or "Wow, you cut your hair!" I wore my glasses today, and one of my students said to me, "Miss, you are making so many changes!" Jenna's kindergarteners, on the other hand, told her that she looked like an abuela (grandma). Maybe because her hair is short and curly? Who knows, but I think her hair looks pretty cute.
Also, maids here don't get much say in things. One of my students said that her parents were gone so they could not sign her assignment notebook. I told her to have the maid sign it, but she said "she does not have a signature." From what I understand, maids really don't have a signature, because it is a sign of status or something that defines you.
The Honduran teachers' office is right by our classroom, so today the music teacher invited me to come and grade papers in their office. That was really nice of her, and as a result, I was introduced to more of the Honduran faculty. I really enjoyed it, as I was the only "gringa" in the room and got to speak in Spanish a little.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Changes
I don't know exactly what God's got in mind for me, but He's been repeatedly telling me things about myself this week. It's amazing to realize how many times I have been struck with the same, re-occurring idea this past week - that I need to set aside the things that are preventing me from going to God as the Source of life.
I hope that I get the message this time and make second-by-second changes in my life.
I hope that I get the message this time and make second-by-second changes in my life.
Flexibility
Long story short:
Today I experienced the joys of learning to be flexible in the classroom.
I arrived to school in time, ready to print out my lesson plans for today. The computer wasn't working and there was no where else to print the lessons. I internally freaked out, because I couldn't remember my lessons for the day!!! Thankfully, I had a few notes for both grammar and math which jumpstarted my memory of the lessons.
However, upon talking with my teacher, I realized that I had prepared for the WRONG lesson in math. At this point, the students were already lined up and waiting to come into the classroom! So, quickly, my teacher and I figured out what I would teach for the day. Needless to say, the lesson was kind of boring, but actually was useful practice for the kids. You can never be too prepared, but no matter how much preparation a teacher has, there will always be THOSE times when plans don't matter. I prefer to have fewer rather than more of THOSE days, but I know I need to learn how to "think on my feet," and today definitely encouraged that!
I deactivated my facebook account, not realizing that after you deactivate it twice, you can't return to your former account. OOPS! Maybe this is a good way for me focus more on school!
I'm off to plan. Adios.
Today I experienced the joys of learning to be flexible in the classroom.
I arrived to school in time, ready to print out my lesson plans for today. The computer wasn't working and there was no where else to print the lessons. I internally freaked out, because I couldn't remember my lessons for the day!!! Thankfully, I had a few notes for both grammar and math which jumpstarted my memory of the lessons.
However, upon talking with my teacher, I realized that I had prepared for the WRONG lesson in math. At this point, the students were already lined up and waiting to come into the classroom! So, quickly, my teacher and I figured out what I would teach for the day. Needless to say, the lesson was kind of boring, but actually was useful practice for the kids. You can never be too prepared, but no matter how much preparation a teacher has, there will always be THOSE times when plans don't matter. I prefer to have fewer rather than more of THOSE days, but I know I need to learn how to "think on my feet," and today definitely encouraged that!
I deactivated my facebook account, not realizing that after you deactivate it twice, you can't return to your former account. OOPS! Maybe this is a good way for me focus more on school!
I'm off to plan. Adios.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Honduran Critters
As I already learned, ants bite.
Tonight, Jenna and I learned another fact about ants in Honduras. They can be pretty stinkin' large! Thank goodness, this ant didn't bite us. Here's a photo to demonstrate that. Jenna and I chased this ant around for at least 10 minutes, trying to get a photo so that all of you could enjoy this moment with us. Enjoy, friends!
Friday, November 2, 2007
"Anything is hided under the Ice of God."
This sentence was written by one of my 5th graders trying to write a sentence for the spelling word "anything." Definitely cute!
Our "Fall Festival" is tonight. Should be fun. I'm going to be a Greek Goddess. I'm wearing a fun belt that I found in a box in our house, a sheet, leaves, and sandles. Maybe I'll find something else random to add to the costume.
I think one of the 4th grade American teachers is going to cut my hair tonight. I'm ready for a change.
I woke up at 4:30 this morning - finally, I got up when I was supposed to ! - to work on planning. However, I really wanted to start off the day right and in a mindset of worship, so I started praying and thinking about things. God REALLY used the time to open my eyes to some things in my life and reminded me of how much I need to invest in my current students. Needless to say, I did not get any planning done, but I wasn't concerned. The time was SO much better spent in devoting myself to God and seeking His will. The goal, now, is to remind myself of the things that I learned this morning so I don't become stagnent, like usual.
As much as I'd like to say that things are WONDERFUL now - because I had the good time with God this morning - they're not that fantastic. Actually, I've been frustrated with things. It's been hard for me to be in another teacher's classroom and to have to be the "observer" and not be able to do things the way I think they would best be done. I think the students are gradually learning (hopefully....) that I won't put up with misbehavior and talking at inappropriate times. I have to wrack my brain this weekend for ways too manage the talking so I don't go crazy.
I have to figure out what I'm going to do for Thanksgiving break. We get the normal 2 days off, so a lot of people are traveling. Some people are going to Belize, while others are going to Copan, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Where do I want to go?? I want to go to Copan sometime here, but it would be awesome to go out of the country for that weekend. We'll see. I have time.
Tomorrow I might to go to a children's home nearby. I don't know details about the place, but I know that playing with kids who need love sounds like a great way to spend my Saturday. You would think that I would get tired of kids.
It takes a lot for me to get to that point.
Goodbye to you and "Hola!" to grading and preparing my costume.
Que fresa! = how cool! (literally, "What strawberry!)
My student told me I was "grrr". I think that means that I'm strict. Haha.
Our "Fall Festival" is tonight. Should be fun. I'm going to be a Greek Goddess. I'm wearing a fun belt that I found in a box in our house, a sheet, leaves, and sandles. Maybe I'll find something else random to add to the costume.
I think one of the 4th grade American teachers is going to cut my hair tonight. I'm ready for a change.
I woke up at 4:30 this morning - finally, I got up when I was supposed to ! - to work on planning. However, I really wanted to start off the day right and in a mindset of worship, so I started praying and thinking about things. God REALLY used the time to open my eyes to some things in my life and reminded me of how much I need to invest in my current students. Needless to say, I did not get any planning done, but I wasn't concerned. The time was SO much better spent in devoting myself to God and seeking His will. The goal, now, is to remind myself of the things that I learned this morning so I don't become stagnent, like usual.
As much as I'd like to say that things are WONDERFUL now - because I had the good time with God this morning - they're not that fantastic. Actually, I've been frustrated with things. It's been hard for me to be in another teacher's classroom and to have to be the "observer" and not be able to do things the way I think they would best be done. I think the students are gradually learning (hopefully....) that I won't put up with misbehavior and talking at inappropriate times. I have to wrack my brain this weekend for ways too manage the talking so I don't go crazy.
I have to figure out what I'm going to do for Thanksgiving break. We get the normal 2 days off, so a lot of people are traveling. Some people are going to Belize, while others are going to Copan, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Where do I want to go?? I want to go to Copan sometime here, but it would be awesome to go out of the country for that weekend. We'll see. I have time.
Tomorrow I might to go to a children's home nearby. I don't know details about the place, but I know that playing with kids who need love sounds like a great way to spend my Saturday. You would think that I would get tired of kids.
It takes a lot for me to get to that point.
Goodbye to you and "Hola!" to grading and preparing my costume.
Que fresa! = how cool! (literally, "What strawberry!)
My student told me I was "grrr". I think that means that I'm strict. Haha.
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