“It’s All Coming Together”

Students and teachers together.

Hard to believe that this is the beginning of our final week in Beja.  We know much more about this beautiful city, the surrounding areas, and the Portugese than we did just one week ago.  We all have mastered how to get to our schools and I’m pleased to say I finally know how to find the WC in the high school.

David and Noreen taught classes from 3^rd to 7^th grade.  They had a lively day filled with student questions ranging from favorite foods to issues surrounding 9/11.  Noreen was particularly touched when a young girl shared a bullying experience with her.  David sang “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” to the younger students, and Karen, in addition to her adult tutoring, joined David and Noreen with the 3^rd graders.  The students loved it when she sang “You Are My Sunshine.”

In one of her classes Lynne used the Talking Cards from the Teaching Manual and found them very helpful.  She and I worked together during the 4^th and 5^th periods on developing conversational skills.  The varying levels in the class were challenging, but Lynne has her strategies “down pat” so it was easy to follow her lead.

Anne and I had two classes at the high school where students continue to study the impact of TV on youth as well as worker abuse by international corporations.  They constantly challenge us to remember our American history and English grammar.

What an eclectic mix of experiences our team had in just one day!  This is a great program to be part of.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY:  “You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,   love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like there’s nobody listening, and live like its heaven on earth”  – William W. Purkey

– Ruth