Kate Staff Blog
22 Apr 2013by WAVES Volunteer
Every day, when I walk through the school gates at Institution Educativa Lobitos, I am lucky enough to be greeted by happy shouts of, ‘Profe Katy!!’ as my students come running to hug me good-morning. Their welcome is always warm and, although at times overwhelming (I currently have a broken foot and am constrained to crutches), I absolutely love seeing my students get excited about having English class.
For the last two months I have been teaching English in the Lobitos Primary School. I teach grades Primary First through Primary Sixth (children ages 5-12). The year has been quite eventful so far, with the first week of school perfectly coinciding with five days of downpour rain (the only five days of the entire year, mind you), two all-village parades, Earth Day, the anniversary of Lobitos (a multi-day celebration), and El Día del Niño.
My students have worked hard to learn colors, shapes, fruits, and common local foods. I try to fill my classes with as many fun, hands-on activities as possible. So far this year some of my favorite activities have included ABC Bingo, colors and shapes with a ‘Quick Draw’ coloring competition, fruit vocabulary with a take on ‘sharks ‘n minnows’ (English Bulldog), and food vocabulary.
The kids love diverging from their normal classroom routines, and it’s really gratifying for me to be able to sit back and watch as they teach each other the English words and grammar necessary to keep their games moving quickly. After not knowing what to expect from students coming from a wildly different background to my own, I am quietly confident about the progress that we’re going to make together over the next year.
-Kate
First grade throwing the shaka!
Lobitos Day Parade!
Posted in: News
Tags: Community Outreach, English Classes, Kate Pavelich, Lobitos school, staff blog
About the author: WAVES Volunteer
WAVES is only possible because of volunteers who come from all walks of life. Here, they share experiences and perspective from their time as volunteers.
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