Teaching and Learning

I just can't help but feel so blessed and happy each day when I go to school and the students excitedly greet me!  God is so good for putting me here and for letting me be with such sweet and kind children (and adults) that make me feel so loved.

Most of the classes I help with are Grade 5, but I have one class that is Grade 4 and couple classes that are Grade 3 (ages 7 and 8). Especially in Grade 3, despite not knowing all the students' names or being able to communicate too well, these kids are SO sweet.  As soon as I walk into the classroom or see them in the hall, they give me the best hugs and sweetest smiles.  My heart literally melts! So precious.

I LOVE my students and being at school.  This week was quite normal at school.  I helped teach the lessons, had conversations with the students during breaks and lunch.  

This week, one of the teacher's who I teach with was sick one day this past week, therefore I got to teach the entire morning by myself! This is my *favorite* class, and I simply adore all the students.  They are quite good at English, so we were able to communicate well together.  

For this lesson, I read a story them a story, and page by page they translated it into Italian.  Then I asked questions and they responded and wrote them down.  After this part of the lesson was finished, we played "Who's Who," which they LOVED.  

In some of the other classes, we have played BINGO using both colors and numbers,

charades, Simon Says, and a questioning board game.  The goal of these lessons is to improve students' ability to listen, read, and respond.  Not only are they learning, but we are also having so much fun and sharing so much laughter together.

Last week I also helped teach an English class for adults.  The topics for the class were online shopping and ordering food at a restaurant.  It was fun to be included in this class and talk to Italians who are so eager to learn and understand English.  

In addition, I attended an English teacher's workshop that was hosted by the school.  Two people (one girl from South Africa and a guy from London) were the instructors, and it was fantastic to get to know them a little bit and help out with their lesson. The company they work for sounds wonderful and I think it would be so fun to participate in some of the activities they put on during the summer months.  

Looking forward to another week, and I can't believe that my time is dwindling so quickly!

Xoxo,