January, 2006
Classes Begin!
English classes for the kids of Lo de Marcos began in earnest this month as a full contingent of visiting Americans and Canadians volunteered to work at La Casa de los Niņos.
We now have nearly 20 full- and part-time teachers and helpers offering four classes per day, Monday through Thursday.
Each student attends class two hours per week and spends another two doing additional activities such as crafts or art.
We see 80 kids each day and have a total enrollment of over 100 students!
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In addition to the 16 regular classes taught during the week, four teachers have volunteered to spend three hours each Friday helping
the middle school English teachers prepare their classes for the following week.
This is no small feat, since none of the six English teachers speak English!
Because the town of Lo de Marcos is so small, the middle school is a telesecundaria, i.e., all the classes originate in Mexico City and are
presented via satellite TV, so teachers act only as guides and proctors to the students in their course of studies.
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Overcrowding? No way!
La Casa de los Niņos is quite small and can quickly become crowded when nearly 50 students are present.
Luckily, we always have nice weather, so many of the activities sessions can be held outdoors, the students sitting on petates (reed mats) placed on
the sidewalk, or sometimes they go to the plaza.
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This has worked very well for everyone, both students and teachers. When a class finishes, those students do activities outside the building, giving them a break from
the classroom while at the same time, the students of the following class are better able to concentrate on their lesson because there is less distraction outside the
classroom.
January 31, 2006 - Jim
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