Week seven may have been my favorite week I've spent here, no joke. 6-3 was extremely busy learning new material this week, but the fun didn't stop there; I was finally able to check off the one thing I had on my Costa Rican bucket list: zip lining!
Our civic act this week was focused on human rights. We had many opportunities to hold discussions about the discrimination many people face in the world as well as brainstorm different ways to put a stop to it. It was really interesting to see how each teacher taught the students, each putting their own spin on this topic. For example, in art the students had to draw a picture using colors symbolizing violence and harm. I think it really hit home with the students, opening their eyes to the discrimination they may have turned their shoulders away from.
Like I said earlier, my students were busy learning (and so was I) again this week! In Math, my students used their division and multiplication skills to solve problems with decimals in their answers this week. It proved to be a bit harder for them, but they succeeded none the less. Spanish consisted of handwriting practice as well as a review of the different types of languages (formal, informal, romantic, technical...you get the point). We continued with the nervous system in Science, learning about harmful substances to the nervous system and ways to prevent it.
Guidance this week was very active as well and my students loved it! They worked in groups to create a picture collage of healthy relationships with yourself and others. It did get a little crazy because of all the excitement, but nevertheless it was a great time!
Like I said earlier, my students were busy learning (and so was I) again this week! In Math, my students used their division and multiplication skills to solve problems with decimals in their answers this week. It proved to be a bit harder for them, but they succeeded none the less. Spanish consisted of handwriting practice as well as a review of the different types of languages (formal, informal, romantic, technical...you get the point). We continued with the nervous system in Science, learning about harmful substances to the nervous system and ways to prevent it.
Guidance this week was very active as well and my students loved it! They worked in groups to create a picture collage of healthy relationships with yourself and others. It did get a little crazy because of all the excitement, but nevertheless it was a great time!
Following an exciting week in sixth grade, an exciting weekend was in the plans! On Saturday, Lindsay and I spent the day with the family. We began our morning with coffee, bread, and a pedicure! Yes, Mami's friend came over and made our toes look beautiful (They were a little rough looking because of the dusty roads due to lack of rain this week).
Darren, one of Mami and Papi's sons, came for the weekend from San Jose as well so it was great to see him one more time before we head back to the States. Lindsay and I hung out with the whole family basically all day, it was a well spent Saturday.
Darren, one of Mami and Papi's sons, came for the weekend from San Jose as well so it was great to see him one more time before we head back to the States. Lindsay and I hung out with the whole family basically all day, it was a well spent Saturday.
On Sunday, we were on our way to the city of Sarapiqui where we did the coolest thing of my life, zip lining! Hacienda Pozo Azul, the adventure park we went to, was referred to us by one of our friends at the Libreria and it did not disappoint!
Our tour was supposed to start at 11:30 am, but with having to take the only bus to Sarapiqui, we arrived around 9:15. As we were just sitting around enjoying life (and the free wifi, score!), one of the guides asked why we were just sitting there waiting. After we explained our tour was in two hours, he looked at us and said, "Come on, join the 9:30 one!"...Lindsay and I looked at each other and followed him down to the equipment shed.
After we were all strapped into our harnesses, we took a bus to the starting point of our 17 platform tour! Our guides explained to us how to work the zip line (how to stop, proper form, all that good stuff) and then took off down the cable; before I knew it I was in line to start! There were so many different people from all over in our group; some from Germany, Costa Rica, and even the Midwest! *Side note: there was a man in our group who was COMPLETELY terrified and throughout the whole thing he was hardcore shaking, props to him for finishing!
Because Lindsay and I were the only ones who spoke Spanish in our group, the guides were joking around with us quite a bit and making our experience wonderful! As our tour continued, I became a bit more adventurous; before I knew it I was going down the cables backwards and without any hands! I'm not kidding when I say this...IT WAS THE BEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE! I think I may have almost cried tears of happiness. Below is a video of me, hands free (check out Lindsay's face at the end, she couldn't believe I did it!)
Our tour was supposed to start at 11:30 am, but with having to take the only bus to Sarapiqui, we arrived around 9:15. As we were just sitting around enjoying life (and the free wifi, score!), one of the guides asked why we were just sitting there waiting. After we explained our tour was in two hours, he looked at us and said, "Come on, join the 9:30 one!"...Lindsay and I looked at each other and followed him down to the equipment shed.
After we were all strapped into our harnesses, we took a bus to the starting point of our 17 platform tour! Our guides explained to us how to work the zip line (how to stop, proper form, all that good stuff) and then took off down the cable; before I knew it I was in line to start! There were so many different people from all over in our group; some from Germany, Costa Rica, and even the Midwest! *Side note: there was a man in our group who was COMPLETELY terrified and throughout the whole thing he was hardcore shaking, props to him for finishing!
Because Lindsay and I were the only ones who spoke Spanish in our group, the guides were joking around with us quite a bit and making our experience wonderful! As our tour continued, I became a bit more adventurous; before I knew it I was going down the cables backwards and without any hands! I'm not kidding when I say this...IT WAS THE BEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE! I think I may have almost cried tears of happiness. Below is a video of me, hands free (check out Lindsay's face at the end, she couldn't believe I did it!)
Here are a couple more pictures from the tour!
So much joy was brought to my life again this week. I'm trying not to face the reality of what next week brings; having such little time left in this beautiful country is absolutely heart-breaking. I'm finally feeling like I belong here, especially in the classroom, and now I have to leave it all behind. Guacimo has become another home to me these past seven weeks, it's the truth! Week eight is definitely going to be a hard one, but staying positive will get me through it! Pura Vida, mis amigos :)
"May your adventures bring you closer together even as they take you far away from home."- Trenton Lee Stewart