First Day of Teaching

The day finally came! Monday we needed to put our theory and schooling into  practice.  On Monday Shelley, I and Shelley's dad Dan, went into a local public school and taught our lesson in a 2nd grade class! We went in the prior week to meet the class before our lesson, but there was no class because the teacher was sick. In America, if the teacher is sick, a sub comes in. In Panama schools, or at least in Boquete, if the teacher is sick- there is no subs and so there is no class and the students in that particular classroom stay home. We were hoping to meet the students before we teach and assess their level of English if any so we could adjust our lesson accordingly- but did not happen. Our lesson was on introducing the English language by introducing 7 African animals- their colors and what they eat. 

I(Dan) started out the lesson by leading the student on a hunt- I had them find the pictures around the room by saying their name, describing them and yes- pretending to be that animal.  And, somehow I did it without getting the class too wound up. (just barely, says wife Shelley =) )

The most challenging part was how to manage the classroom with student who do not speak English. After trying different things, gesturing, modeling expected behavior, and praising students who were displaying expected behavior worked the best.

And  I am up! after Dan, I Shelley, got to follow the safari with labeling and modeling proper pronunciation of the name of the animals for the students and asking them to repeat it, then after that was done, we got to the colors of the animals..It was awesome and challenging.  We were all on a high that lasted well into the evening, and then we totally crashed. and slept really well!

Here I am trying to explain that a Zebra has stripes.

recapping the names and pronunciation

Here is Dad telling the kids what the animals ate... what expression! He was great!

Here is an adorable student telling Dad that Monkeys eat banana's

Dad, calling on a student!

Overall, it was a wonderful time and we head back there Wednesday morning for a followup lesson.. the kids were amazing and did have a little English.  We all got tons of hugs as we were departing.  So incredible for our first time teaching.