Classroom Technology

If I were teaching in the States... I would have a telephone in my room. I might have one, if not two, computers. Maybe there would be a television bolted to the wall, or at least one on wheels for my hallway of teachers to share. I would definitely have an overhead, and if the school is researching new forms of technology, I might even have an Elmo (like an overhead, but a computer projector). From what I hear, Smartboards are also the new thing for technology-smart learning environments.

But I'm not teaching in the States. I'm teaching in a 12' by 19' classroom with an 8.5' ceiling. I have 2 whiteboards, about 15 dry-erase markers, 2 lightbulbs, 2 fans, and a huge pile of construction paper. That's about as high-tech as we get here.

We do have 5 computers in the library to use... and my new technology adventure is to take the kids on a YouTube fieldtrip. We'll be traveling to France on Friday. Anyone want to join? :)

I think I'm doing the best with what I have here. I also know that when I return to the States, I will have a serious technology culture shock when my students know more about how to work a Smartboard than I do!!

What Do You Say When...?

Any advice on how to respond to these questions?

''Miss Siscoe, what happens if a dog and a cat have a baby together?''

''Miss Siscoe, do you feel as bad as you look today?''

''Miss Siscoe, is it alright if I plan a class field trip to Europe?''

Recent Art

marker and colored pencil, for a recycling mural contest at the school. The contest was really for K-12 students, but as soon as my students saw me drawing, they were inspired to design a mural too! This morning, the judges announced the final winners... 2 of my 4th graders! :)

acrylics, for Trish's birthday. Translated: They will be called oaks of justice, planted by the Lord to show His glory. Isaiah 61:3. Trish loved it!! :)

Tricia's Golden Birthday

So yesterday, Trish turned 24 on the 24th. Fantastic. I had been planning for over 2 weeks how to help her celebrate, and this is how it went down.

When Trish arrived at my house, I told her the party would be at the Nesbitt's house (our school directors), so we started walking in that direction. On the way we conveniently ran into our friend Eddie, and he gave her a gold necklace. I conveniently remembered that I had to pick up a gift from the Jones family, so we stopped by, where Meredith gave Trish a gold necklace. We arrived at the Nesbitt's home finally, where Barb gave Trish HUGE gold hoop earrings. Here's the first look at her golden outfit.

She still didn't know what all the gold gifts meant... and Barb had conveniently told us she couldn't hostess the party and that she had called Peggy, who had agreed to host... We got to Peggy's, who gave Trish a tiarra.. silver, not gold... and told us that the party was now moved to Medrano's house. The ''hunt'' proceeded like this for another 3 houses...

Trish and Peggy on the walk... Trish rocking her accessories.
A Sojourn high school student and his 3 year old brother sang ''Happy Birthday!'' to Trish when we passed them on Calle Bosque.

Then we made it to Sondra's house, who did gold makeup for Trish. I also gave Trish the rest of her outfit -- a gold halter-top dress and brown baggy pants that I had found at a thrift store in downtown San José and had sewn sequins on for perfection.

I told Trish, ''Your clothes are in this bag... yes, this small bag.''

Makeup with Sondra.

Getting Her Goldness ready for the real festivities.

Trish modeling ... Dad, this truck reminded me of yours!

at the real party house :)

Medrano, Trish, Matt

Courtney putting the finishing touch on Trish's outfit.... gold nail polish!

Peggy made her deliiiiiciouuuuus guacamole .

We played a game like Pin the Tail on the Donkey... except it was Pin the Gold on the Gangster. Each person had a small square of gold colored foil to make a gold item that a gangster might wear or have. Eddie here made a pimp goblet...

Erin with her nose ring and Andrew with his gold grill.

Here's the poor gangster poster with all our goldness pinned to it...

Funfetti cake... her favorite! Many thanks to Trish's mom for sending the mix :)

And Peggy danced the night away... I think she's warming up for her wedding next summer!!! :)

So that's it. . . and I win the best friend award for putting all this together!!

Dangerous Question

Asking 4th graders what they would like to learn this year can be a very adventurous question. Here's some responses I got today:

I want to learn about dragons.

I want to learn how to be a good teacher.

I want to learn hard stuff.

I want to learn to fart loud.

Iglesias de Nicaragua

I did a photo study of sorts on the churches in Granada and Masaya, Nicaragua. Here's some results.

'' Where two or more are gathered, there I will be in their midst...'' Looks a lot like church to me! :)

a new church building in Masaya... built by a Michigan church for the Masayan church.

¡Que Chapa Soy!

I literally just walked in the door from the grocery store and I HAVE to tell you this.

Tonight I am hosting a pancake dinner with gringo friends here at the house, so I went to the supermarket as soon as I got home from school. Bueno, not exactly the ''supermarket'' but the chain vendor down the street.

So I'm carrying around my little metal basket (very similar to the shopping baskets in the States), and I have it filled to the brim with pancake mix, syrup, eggs, and all the fixings. I'm looking for chocolate of any sort that we can break up into ''chocolate chips'', and well, I'm not exactly paying attention to where I am going. As I turned a corner, the edge of my basket caught the edge of a display of candy... and you can imagine what happened from there. Everything (Hear me, EVERYTHING) came crashing down, and I was standing there turning bright red and trying to find words to say (in Spanish too!!)... Two employees jump on the scene and were chuckling to themselves as I gathered my words enough to say, ''¡Que vergüenza! ¡Que chapa soy!'' (''How embarassing! I'm so clumsy!'')... I said my apologies and they were still chuckling...




Another laughing moment today was when a student noticed a hole in my shoe and could see my toes... she said, ''Miss Siscoe, your toes look a lot like fingers!''... I have heard that so many times in my lifetime, and gee, even my students notice that. Thanks Dad!