This is my classroom. I have 12 students at Isla Bonita Elementary School. I am in the Infant 1 classroom which is equivalent to Kindergarten in the United States, except that they don't have preschool here. I love my students! The teaching is a lot different from America though. My students don't know the letters of the alphabet they only know the sounds. In America we teach both so I thought that was interesting. Also, the students work mainly out of 12 workbooks that they have to take home everyday. It hurts me to see these 5 and 6 year olds trying to carry all those books home. One thing that surprised me was the reaction that I got when I put my students into a cirlce on the ground to read to them. They all looked at me like I was crazy and they didn't know how to form a circle so everyone could see. The books that they use are very old and out-dated as well. I am very interested to learn more about their education programs. I have a student who is blind in one eye and mostly blind in the other. I want to see what kind of modifications they do for her but I have a feeling that it is not much judging by my first week here.

Paradise

Day 8- I am in love with this place! Everything is different and new. We went snorkeling the other day and it was amazing. There were 7 of us who went with our friend Lou. We met Lou at Lola's Pub 2 days before we took him up on his offer to go out on his boat. So we go and rent snorkel gear and Lou picked us up on the dock. We went out to the reef and all jumped in. It was awesome looking at all the different fish. After that, we caught live conch and took it back to Lou's house/ restaurant. He cracked the shell and made us eat the raw conch. I ate a muscle that was still moving when I bit into it. It tasted like spaghetti and looked like it as well. I have been so surprised at how brave I have become. I just don't want to offend anyone as well as, I want to learn the most about their culture. I have tried so many new foods and I have enjoyed most of them; not really the pigs toes though.

Today was my first day of full-time teaching and I was surprised to find out that my partnership teacher is younger than me and that I may be the expert in some situations. I have learned a lot from her and she has learned from me as well. I have a student in my class that is blind in one eye and mostly blind in the other. I was surprised that the school wasn't doing much to accommodate her needs. My teacher is making her papers darker so that she can see it a little better but it doesn't help that much. I decided that I am going to give my teacher some resources and ideas of what to do to help her. My teacher is a first year teacher and loves that I am here to help her as well as learn from her. I was surprised at the teaching style here in Belize because it is not what I have been taught or what I am used to but it seems to work for them. The students are smart and very polite. Everyone is very laid back and they are teaching the sounds first instead of the letters. Yet, my students here have trouble when I tell them to write and a or b, they don't understand. I have to say the sound or they can't put it together which is not what I am used to. I am so excited to learn more about their culture and get to know more people.

Day 4

Day 4-I have tried so many new things since I got to Belize. I have tried snapper, grouper, plantain chips, mangos, and new kiwis. I love all of them! I was so surprised by myself. I never try new things so it was a great experience. We have been walking soo much which is great. I enjoy walking and I am getting the feeling of being like the locals. Everyday is a new experience. Yesterday we went to Legends which is acroos the bridge on another island. We walked there near dusk and it was a little scry but we had a flashlight. I would definately travel with a bunch of people. We had a blast once we got there. It was a 30 minute walk... haha. I We all got to dance and raise money for a 16 year old guitar player to go to Boston to play. It is a great feeling to help people out. The most surprising thing that I have seen are the children that are out selling necklaces all day and night. It makes me feel terrible. They will walk up to you anywhere, whether you are eating or sitting by the beach and boy are they good salesmen. Today we went to a BBQ to raise money for the High School. It was delicious. I have found that I am loving the food more and more the longer I am here.. and I am picky usually. After that we went to go find the guy that we met yesterday with a boat to go snorkeling. We met his whole family and he offered to take us snorkeling and fishing for 15 dollars. WOW. I was shocked! So we will go tomorrow. We are all going to pitch in and pay for the 2 High School teachers who walked with us all day today. I am so excited.
Yesterday I met my teacher and I was in shock. She seemed really young but, I am excited to get to know her better! I think she has some great ideas for me to learn from. I am teaching Reading on Monday which is crazy! I can't wait to get into the schools and get to know the students. I met them breifly on Friday morning but I couldn't really talk to them. 6 of us stood in front of the whole school for an assembly while all the students stared at us. I knew exactly how it feels to be a minority because we are. We stand out so bad in Belize especially if we go in a group of 19. haha. I am loving the weather but the breeze is the only thing saving me right now. I have gotten burnt everyday even though I am using sunscreen.. I guess I need a stronger one.
On day 1 and 3 my room had no hot water. The water was so cold that it took my breath away. Today we have no water at all. haha. I am a shower person so it is hard for me to adjust but I have a super roommate who keeps me positive. She said " You will want a cold shower after you have been outside all day in the heat." I am working on that positive attitude! lol. I would recommend coming here to everyone. It is a completely different world than back home but it is so laid back and relaxing. Belizean time and my time are so different that it is hard to get used to. As an American I am used to time schedules and being prompt. Here in Belize it is a round-about time. You just go at your own pace. I love it here! Everyone is soo nice and helpful; they would do anything for us which is a great feeling.

Day 1

Day 1- Today we traveled from Charlotte, North Carolina to Miami, Florida. From Florida we traveled to Belize City, Belize and took a puddle jumper plane to San Pedro. The little plane was crazy. Jeanne got to be the co-pilot and it shook like crazy and felt like we were driving on an icy road. It was great once we got into the air though! We could see everything. The water is beautiful blues, greens, and purples. I took lots and lots of pictures! Ican't wait to upload them. We then took a taxi from Tropic Air to Pedro's Inn where we met Peter, the owner. He is so nice and invited us to a St. Patrick's Day party at the pub. We decided to eat first and ate right on the water. After that, we explored San Pedro. We walked everywhere and stopped at the fruit stands on the side of the road. I was shocked at the weather here! It was actually cold. I enjoyed the breeze and clouds that we will probably never see again! haha. I can't wait to go see the schools tomorrow! We saw kids walking all around the island and playing sports. I am so excited to meet the students and get into the schools.

3/15/2010

I am getting ready to go to Charlotte tonight! I am so excited!