Learning...

What a day! Whew. We've done so much.
Well, first off we started with waking up early and being at La Amistad for our first day right at 8 AM. We went to the second grade class first with Johanna, and she told us that her class was mainly set up to do centers for the day. So all of her class wasn't in there. She told us we should go by and see Profe Yadira and the third grade class for a while. She was so happy to see us! We didn't get to see her last Thursday, so it was great to catch up with her. After interrupting class at first, and getting to know the other helper from Germany, Tim, she continued with class. She read "The Rainbow Fish" to the class, in Spanish of course, but on regular printer paper. It was great! She then asked the class comprehension questions like, "Where did the story take place? How bright did the rainbow fish shine? What did he learn at the end?" She does an amazing job at commanding the attention of 20 special needs students at one time. She's not forceful, but gentle. Mom or Babs, we need to find a rainbow fish book for them in spanish!
After then helping her class for a while with activities, we then went back to Johanna's class to see what they were up to. Mo got some ideas from Johanna while I talked with some of the boys in the class and looked over their work. We'll be going back on Wednesday to observe some more. We were hoping to actually bring a lesson plan, but this week is a little crazy for them, seeing as Wednesday Johanna won't be there, Thursday is a special school-wide day for Mothers Day, and Friday they have a student holiday.
After making the climb back up the hill, Mo and I made a list of materials that we needed to buy in town later in the afternoon for school supplies. Then we helped Fide by cleaning the windows in one of the guys' rooms. There is so much to do in the coming weeks, so Mo and I are trying to help wherever we can, especially since we are a little short on help. After lunch, I got to spend some time in the garden, chilling with Jesus and enjoying the shade. So nice to have that time just to praise him and really just pray and listen. We went to town with Fide to buy school supplies, and it was really funnny because we were trying to be frugal with the money we've been blessed with and come to find out, we were able to buy SO many supplies for only ten bucks.
When we got back to the team house, it was great to see Raf. I was feeling like I was having withdrawals seeing as I hadn't seen him all day. He invited us to go "help" him get his two new pigs to the farm up on the mountain. Fun times. I love to hear pigs scream. And when we finally made it to the mountain with the two pigs to add to the other two, we were able to see them interact. Another experience, since sometimes they started to charge me.
After getting back, we had dinner and then began another UNO! game with Don Omar and Doña Fide. The power went out during our game, but we continued playing with flashlights. After they went to their rooms, Mo played her guitar as I listened/sang. And then the most exciting part: I found a guitar here at the team house, and Mo taught me the e minor, g, c, and d chords. So basically I'm now Carlos Santana. I'm so excited to be able to play now!
Recap of what I learned today: 1) Always be open to everything at school. Really try to take things in. 2) Never forget the dollar goes a long way here. 3) Raise your foot and stomp it if a pig charges at you. If that doesn't work, just kick it. 4) The guitar is fun to play, you just have to practice.
Love you all and buenos noches,
sb