Halloween Week

This Monday I began giving English classes to two girls from my small group. I struggled with what to charge them, but ended up deciding on 1/4 of the rate I would charge others. Sara and Tamara told me they would feel bad taking so much of my time without compensating me, so I hope that this compromise will keep both them and me from feeling like we're taking advantage of the other. This week I started with a quiz and questions to get a grasp of their grammatical and vocabulary levels. I gave them each a list of vocabulary for the bedroom, we practiced pronunciation, and we'll go from there. I think it's going to be quite a challenge teaching them, but I'm excited to start planning for next Thursday's class. They really want to work on speaking and listening, so I'll be trying to structure conversations to build upon existing vocabulary.

This week at school we have been doing Halloween activities. For the fourth graders, I ask the teacher to make flashcards with some pictures she had of Halloween vocabulary (ghost, Dracula, skeleton, etc.) and to ask the students to dress up. She gave me a story (in Spanish) to read to the kids. Over the weekend, I bought a sweets and a pumpkin, was given another on Sunday, and translated the Halloween history into English. In class, I began by telling the history of Halloween and showing the pumpkin/ Jack-o-Lantern. Then, I had all the kids go out of the room, shut off the lights, and make them say "trick-or-treat" (and thank-you) before coming in and receiving candy. That was a lot of fun. Then, we played hang-man with the vocabulary. The fourth graders got activities on Monday, while the first graders got to celebrate all week. It was quite a project, but with the kids' help, each class first made paper Jack-o-Lanterns, then helped me make a real one. I cut off the top, and cut the face, but the kids took out the seeds in small groups, decided whether to have a nose, and did other activities with the pumpkin. It was a lot of fun, taking the kids out in groups of 4 to scoop out the seeds. I love it when the kids, even the boys, wrinkle their noses and cry, "Qué asco!" How gross! Tomorrow the last class finishes carving the pumpkin, and then we will "rap" a Halloween poem.

The volunteering at the elementary school La Alameda (with my church) has had it's ups and downs. I had the best day with the kindergarteners Tuesday. They participated in the activities without whining, probably because I told them that we would do these activities (English development) and THEN I had coloring sheets for those that played or participated in the aforementioned activities. Today I found out that this class that I teach is ending this week, so that is a disappointing. I was starting to figure out what to do with the kids, and they were just starting to get used to me. The city is taking over and doing some activities with the little ones that had been long promised. I didn't realize that this young class was just to fill in the gap until the city followed through. The good thing is, it frees me up to lend a hand elsewhere, probably in the classroom (1st-2nd graders) where I am on Wednesdays. It's been pretty rough with these kids, so I'm praying for wisdom for what to say to the kids and how to handle disruptions/discipline. There are many who lack respect for others, bother others, hit, and/or have difficult home lives. We're there to help the kids and to be there for them, and it is not easy. I haven't dealt with kids (or so many at once) with so many behavior problems.

This week in Madrid it has gotten a lot colder. It's been about 35-40 in the morning, and 50 during the day. I've gotten out my winter jacket, and bought a lighter jacket (I got my paycheck!!) for when it isn't quite so cold. Today was clear and cold, but yesterday was rainy and wet all day. Tuesdays aren't good days for it to rain, because if my socks get wet, I don't get home until 9:15 pm. Actually, I had extra socks with me, but I figured with wet shoes, it wouldn't matter much. I was thankful that the mother of my young English students drove me to the train stop.

Tomorrow I leave for Pamplona to visit the Veldts. I'm excited! I'll get back about about 6 pm Sunday evening (which means about 6:45 at home).