Hooray for another weekend! I’m glad I have another three days to catch up on some sleep! Today was a great day, I was able to participate in all the classes—I think it was the most involved I’ve been since arriving. I started the morning in Francisco’s Second A class. I got to introduce some new vocab….rooms of the house (bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom, etc.). It was kinda funny because the kids think that “kitchen” sounds like “chicken”. Francisco told me that “The chicken is in the kitchen” is a tongue twister of sorts for them in English.

I was in Pilar’s Sixth B class next. They learned about the British celebration of “Bonfire Night”, which is tomorrow, the 5^th. It was really interesting for me to learn about. She asked me if I knew anything about it and I had no idea…but now I do! It commemorates the night of November 5, 1604 or 5 (I can’t remember which!) when Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill the king. Every year Britons celebrate with family and friends by eating hotdogs and caramel apples (I think those are the most popular dishes). Children make a “guy” out of (I think!) straw or pillows and dress him up in old clothes. They have big fireworks displays in their towns, generally in parks, and at the fireworks they build big bonfires and burn their “guys”. It’s a big thing for them and it seems to be a lot of fun!

In Esperanza’s First A class right before lunch, I was able to talk about some members of the family (mummy, daddy, granny, granddad [yeah, it’s totally British! Esperanza even told me yesterday that sometimes she has trouble understanding me because I don’t pronounce my “ts” like they do…I said the word “put” and she was like “what?”]). Then we did a sticker sheet, where students had to match the different hats with the right member of the family.

For the last two hours after lunch, I was with Sandra and both four-year-old classes. She’s also teaching them about family, but different words, like baby, brother, sister, mommy and daddy. I reviewed the words with them, and then we made up some actions to do for when we listened to the CD and each person was called. That was followed by a worksheet which I explained and they understood! Well, most of them, I think, at least. It was very simple: they circled the character outside the picture and drew a line to the character inside the picture. I helped Sandra draw red smiley faces on their papers when they were all done and correct! It’s kinda cool because the kids are starting to get comfortable enough with me to come up and be like “teacher, blah, blah, blah…” I wish I could understand what they were saying—this cute little four-year-old tried telling me something today and I had no idea what she was saying! They like to tattle on each other a lot though…I guess that’s the age!

I got my medical insurance card today, so it’s official! Even though it says “dental” on it, Aurora was like “It’s not dental, I don’t know why it says that.” Alright then…Will’s says the same thing though, so I don’t feel so bad! I want to go to the pastelería this evening to buy some “Huesos de Santos”—a pastry typical for this time of year. Yesterday Teresa told me of a good place to buy them, which isn’t far from our house. I went there about five yesterday and they were closed so I asked her today and she said that after siesta, they should be open until eight or nine…so I’ll try again today!

I’m happy that I get to sleep in tomorrow…I didn’t want to get up this morning—I was so tired!

Xoxo,

Court