The students have been with me for two days. The children are only having only half days the first week of school. That means we begin at 7:00 a.m. and finish at 11:00 a.m... I have twenty two students (10 are in third grade, the remainder in second). I’m teaching reading and grammar to all the students, while Ms. Medy is teaching Bahasa Indonesia. If I can, I may go to the kindergarten room when they are learning Bahasa (although I think they are probably way ahead of me). Math for the third graders will be my domain, and then social studies and science Ms. Medy and I will teach jointly. The children call you by your first name, so I have to get use to Ms. Carol. I’m forever saying Ms. Murphy to them – and they look more puzzled than usual. Actually they often just call out, “Miss! Miss! So our first order of business has been to ask them to sit down and raise their hands- quietly.
I thought I would have difficulty learning and pronouncing the names of the students- but surprisingly most have American or Irish names. Some of the names of the children are David, Christy, Phillip, Mario, Declan, Fiona and one child named Ebenezer. Richard goes by the name Alfian, which appears to have no connection to any of his names. Many of the children with Chinese heritage have two names: an Indonesian name, and then the Chinese name.
They are much quieter than their American counterparts, and will diligently do the work assigned to them. However, critical thinking, analyzing a challenge or creative problem solving is not part of their academic education. My main criteria are to encourage the children to think and problem solve. I knew I was in for an up-hill battle when one of my little ones said “I don’t think”.
Today I played some music I brought from home and they were wide-eyed and moving. English in varying degrees is spoken by most of the students. One little one knows very little, and then at the end of the spectrum is Regina’s daughter, Tasha, who is extremely fluent.
I’m excited about the year, the children are precious, and I hope you enjoy the pictures!
1 comment:
Carol, I am so excited for you!!!! The children in the pictures are precious. I'm getting goosebumps thinking how much you are giving them. You are going to change their lives and they will change yours. They do look like hard workers. I love that they call you Ms. Carol. The children I work with I always have call me Ms. Michele. I bet they will be quick learners.
I'll write back. Gotta run but I just had to leave a note. Take care. Be safe.
Peace and Love
Michele T.
I miss you
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