First Time This Type of Teaching

This morning we got to Sandy Point Primary School just in time for the 30 second orientation for substituting. Then I faced the class of fourth graders. The next-door teacher introduced me and warned them to behave with the scary, tattered belt. I copied their assignment onto the board. The children couldn't read my cursive. (They must use a different penmanship book down here, not to mention my less than perfect handwriting.)

• "Teacher, that looks like a V." "Thank you. It's an R."
• "Teacher! I could go the bathroom to peepee?" "You have one minute. Ready? Go!"
• "Teacher, is that at zero or a six?"
• Two boys in unison, after raising their held hands: "You're the best teacher we ever had." "Wow! Why?" "Because you're kind to us."

Those boys and another pair were having trouble bickering about something. Now, I only understood about a quarter of what was said in that room. Using some of the Virtues Project knowledge, I usually responded to disagreements or upset students by asking what would help and if they could be more respectful and understanding, whether or not I understood what the problem was. It usually worked. So all I did was ask these boys to focus on their work and to be respectful and peaceful. I guess that's all they need. A testament to the prevalence of capital punishment, if you are blissfully oblivious to the situation in many parts of the world, is that even the other children were recommending that I give an upset, and thus uncooperative, student "licks."

I never really yelled, just an occasional raised voice to help them re-focus their attention on their work. There are obviously ways I could improve (keeping the faster-finishers occupied while others are hardly starting the assignment; encouraging a distraught girl to write so the next teacher won't verbally force feed the assignment into her brain; and having and effectively enforcing clear, concise rules), but they were hardly discouraging. It was my first experience of the kind. I think I did very well for having to official qualifications. It was definitely positive and enjoyable and shows that I am capable of teaching if I choose to.

On our lunch break, CJ and I stopped by Buelah's home in Middle Island. [Linnea, you're right! I need to bring my camera more and share pictures of everything I am doing.] It was wonderful to talk with her and Marissa. She is a caring mother. We discussed children's class and an Ayyám-i-Há party.

Tyrell-Williams Primary School. Work with the reluctant readers: Some of them are quiet reserved and reluctant. It was a challenge, but I could see baby steps of progress being made in some of the children. The time was too short. Work with the "behaviorlly-challenged": Cristina and I had a rather rocky presentation to start with, but Ms. Thomas showed up and saved the day. We'll be back next week.

I visited Ilva and Elvis. They were so warm and welcoming. It felt wonderful to just sit and say prayers with them. She gave me a pinable and tangerines!