Elementary Education Graduate |
Elementary Education Graduate |
In every visit we got interviewed by the students, they all practiced asking us questions like:How old are you?
Do you have any brothers or sisters? What’s your favorite color, food, animal and so on… It was a great way for the students to practice using their English with native English speakers. That being said there were two observations that stood out the most to me. In one of the classrooms we helped the students with an English song they had been practicing for English week. We got to take our small group of students outside and really work on their pronunciation. I had so much fun having the girls repeat the line or phrase in the song until they got it just right, then we took it to the next level by adding the dramatic sass just like the song. Spice Girls – Wannabe has the most attitude so by replicating that with the students I think it really helped it stick with them in a exciting way. In my last observation I found away for the materials I made to work within the lesson the teacher was giving. We played Bingo! I made bingo boards for each student that were laminated so they could be reused, and there were laminated pictures of animals that matched up the names of the animals on the boards. These worked perfectly for the lesson on english animal names. The students actively and competitively listened for the next animal each time. They got so excited calling out bingo and after a few false alarms we had a tie for 1st and 2nd place. It’s a simple memory that I’ll always have. My first ever lesson in another country is pretty unforgettable.
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Professionally I’ve gained confidence in traveling abroad. It has allowed me to push myself to be open to new experiences. Handling those new situations was all a part of the process. In the best way it forced me to creatively think outside the norm, specifically when it came to communication. I was first hand experiencing what it is to be a new language learner. Cultural understanding played a role in my comprehension; it shed light on phrases or sayings and assisted me when trying to understand conversation. The Spanish spoken in Chile was fast, and one of my teachers admitted they shorten words or have Chilean only words, which required me listen in that much more intently. That small piece of information is a great reminder to speak slowly and clearly, provide text when necessary so all students have the chance to understand you. So I need to remember always how it felt to be confused and need clarification.
As a teacher always embrace others. Diversity is important. Learning about other cultures is a way to bring multiple groups together. Maybe it’s even away to get parents and students working together to learn collaboratively outside the classroom. By valuing the student’s cultural heritage you show respect for not just the student but the family. Photos are worth more than can be said, I will create a photo book for this trip and I promise myself to look at that on the tough days. On the days or weeks where nothing I do feels like its working or when I’m at a loss for energy, I want to remember how it felt to be a rock star when we visited the schools in Chile. I want to remember the countless hugs and thank you’s we received. Blogging over the past month has reopened my desire to experience more and more, I want to bring new prospective to my future classroom. Remembering always: I’m cut out for this career, I’m capable of being a teacher who relates and pushes students to learn, and I’m able to change students lives. Use all space. We went into classrooms where space wasn’t an option but making the most out of spaces is. To address the needs of my linguistically diverse background I would provide translations where I label things in the classroom to allow for continuous learning moments.
When it came to making each student feel welcomed I observed one of the Chilean teachers hug, handshake or high five each student as they entered the class. I think that’s the perfect check in moment. It helps get a feel for the mood of the class and quickly address any issues. I want to create a learning environment that fills all space and time with learning. Having tricks up my sleeve for gaining the students attention will be a tool I use forever. The Chilean classrooms are filled with a lot of students so we saw how quick the teacher had to act to redirect attention and gain the focus of the children. A huge difference is the fact the Chilean students have more breaks in the day. Providing even 5-minute breaks could benefit the whole class. Dancing to a song or just a relax session might help in an active classroom be productive learners. It’s defiantly something I’d like to try and make part of my future classroom. Things I’m happy I had with me!
*Heating pad was soooo necessary the homes were much colder then we are used to. I was happy with the shoes I brought we did a lot of walking so its important to have comfort over fashion. I probably could have got away with a pair of booties, tennis shoes, and if you plan to hike a lightweight hiking shoe over the rain boots I brought would have been ideal. Packing my materials in my checked bag and bring my duffle folded along with my carry on and back pack gave me so much extra room on the way home for unique things to bring back. Things I wished I hadn’t brought. I ended up bringing two skirts and three dresses I wore two of the dresses. If your thinking “oh ill change into this before we go out” there usually wasn’t time or we just didn’t go home before we went to dinner with our friends so skip the extra stuff. Things I wish I had and didn’t A self filtering water bottle is something I really would have looked more into getting, I felt so guilty buying plastic throw away bottles everyday ( I drink a lot of water normally) the water just had a very strong mineral taste to me and I wasn’t able to drink it. Hiking shoes... so for a 6 hour hike rain boats do not work. The hiking in Chile is nothing like I’ve ever done it was worth it completely my feet just hated me for it! Meds ... not that you need everything but I would recommend Tylenol, something that would help with diarrhea or upset stomach, and some cold flu sinus meds. Only because trying to get medication there was interesting. I kept being offered a tea packet meds and I personally can’t take liquid meds ! If you are old enough to buy Pisco do it while on Chile and put it in your checked bag, don’t try to by at the airport because if you have a connecting flight they won’t let you through security with it ! So put it in your checked bag. Other Tips I found it much easier to use the ATM in Chile to take out Chilean pesos, I would recommend taking out the maximum amount when you first get there ( you'll end up going through it I promise). I personally do get cold in winter however I had a medium weight jacket that was a little longer and with a layer or two under that I was never cold cold. Bring a couple scarfs or pick some up at a market in Chile ( they had so many for really cheap) it will help you feel fashionable, because while I wasn't cold the homes aren't heated the way they are here in the US, so when I look back on photos inside or outside I'm always in my black jacket and black scarf ! The relationships that we have created through this exchange have been so meaningful. I came to Chile knowing I had friends and that little piece of information was of all the comfort I needed. The students we have met while UMayor have been so kind to us, taking time out of their busy schedules to be with us. The professors at Buffalo State and University Mayor have guided this connection beautifully, through our common ground of seeking to become educators we found many similarities in our struggles and triumphs on the road to being a teacher. Through this program we were able to share some of our favorite things in Buffalo, open our homes and finest cooking to the students of university mayor. That same warm feeling has been replicated twice over here in Chile. From student guided Tours full of historical facts to personal translating our friends have helped us learn so much more of their Chilean culture. Our Chile friends, no I should say our Chilean family has opened their homes and hearts to us sharing food, drinks and above all friendship, that’s something I will forever be grateful for. |