India Service Program Blog

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Knowledge is the true organ of sight, not the eyes.  ~

Today we had the privilege of enjoying a full and delicious lunch at Stephen's family's house. I kind of felt honored and very lucky. ... I have come to see the personalities of several of the Assisi kids and this has brought about questions of "nature vs. nurture" and how much of early childhood behavior is learned versus innate. ... Grace was a bit different today because we were late and I had the fifth graders for the entire hour and fifteen minutes. The difference in their skill level in English is noticeable but overall, their vocabulary knowledge is impressive. They answer questions quite well. ... At Seams, we get to work with different kids each night. They consistently correct themselves while reading and seem to comprehend at least some of what they read. With an obvious range in their understanding.

Jason and Laura

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion.  -Dalai Lama

Today we met some travelers at Assisi. They stopped by the daycare to take pictures. It was fun to see the children so interested in having their pictures taken. It proved dangerous to have a camera out with such grabby individuals, but we took a few photos ourselves. There were fewer children at Assisi today for some reason, and it seemed a bit more manageable.

Grace was fun today. The children were as wild as always, but I managed to go in with that expectation, and we got quite a few things done. It's easy to plan a lesson very carefully and find that you don't use it at all or that you must modify it entirely. It's best to go in with a lot planned, I find, and with a VERY flexible attitude. I'm always surprised with the children's desire to express such love. They love to hug on us and tell us that they love us.

Seams today was also fun. I worked with solely girls today, and it was rewarding as well as difficult. It was difficult because the girls that I have worked with  seem to be farther behind I'm their learning of English than then boys. They don't seem as driven as the boys, which leads me to wonder about gender expectations. It is comforting, however, to remember that my most driven student in the second grade class is a girl.

Dinner at the restaurant was wonderful again. I really like Gobi 65 and hope that Jason finds a recipe for it in his new cookbook.

Jason and Laura

Tuesday, Jul 24, 2012

Ralph Waldo Emerson - nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm

The Grace kids are rambunctious! it is a different role for me - being regarded as a sort of substitute instead of the one who is running the show. They are very sweet kids, & I think I am bonding with them a bit - especially the third graders. Even in very small groups,it seems that you have to maintain very strict discipline at all times if they are to stay quiet...& even then it might not work.  ...I am very impressed with their general vocabulary knowledge in English. There are certain sounds, though, that seem to be stuck in their heads (the way they pronounce the letters a & h and any words with those letters, for example). ...overall, I think things are going quite well with the kids.

Jason and Laura

Monday, Jul 23, 2012

Seek the lofty by hearing, seeing or reading great work at some moment every day. Thornton Wilder

We had the kids who live at Assisi today instead of the little ones. Some schools were off today. So, we colored and played a little football. It Is very interesting to see how different the kids can be even though they are in the same establishment...but I guess those who are slightly older have developed a bit more personality and are probably more in need of affection. That is something Ido not have to deal with in my everyday "job" -- small children who do not make any attempt to hide their need / desire for affection, approval, etc.

Jason and Laura

Friday, Jul 20, 2012

Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.  - William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure

Today we had a fortunate visit from another American, Bonnie. It was very interesting to talk with her regarding her past experiences traveling in India and her many years of teaching experience in America. I benefitted from observing her in the classroom. It is very clear to me the difference in teaching between me, one who has no experience with second-language teaching, and Jason and Bonnie, two who have great experience doing so. I know that I am a benefit to the children at the Grace school, but I wish that I had more confidence, more experience, and a better understanding of the children. I am sure that just when I am feeling satisfied with my teaching here, it will be time to leave! Alas.

I love spending time at the Assisi daycare in the morning. The children are a delight, and I have read the studies that show that exposure to a second or third language so early in development is extremely beneficial. Starting my day with these children is wonderful; I love their energy and especially their smiles. It's so fun when they repeat English words back to us as we play.

Having dinner out at a restaurant in town was really great. It was interesting to order from the menu and experience specific South Indian cuisine. Jason and I have loved all meals here! We both love Indian food, and while we have enjoyed authentic Indian food in the States, it does taste different here. The combination of spices here is different than that of Indian food we've had before due to (presumably) region and ingredient variation.

Jason and Laura

Thursday, Jul 19, 2012

Thursday's message is a quotation from John Wooden:

"do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."

This applies to anyone attempting to learn or improve at anything. If you are working toward something, it does no good to focus on how far you are from the goal.

Thursday was our first "real" day. The little ones in the morning are very playful, and their attention spans are about 5 seconds. They are very enjoyable to be around, and they require a certain energy that is very different than what teaching to high school students requires.  The afternoon session at Grace was fun too. Given that it was the first day, we kind of had to take things as they came. Not really knowing their level or experience, we couldn't really do it any other way. Given that, it was smooth and interesting. In the evening, we went back to SEAM, this time to read with the kids.

The kids are eager to learn, and that contributes to the overall positivity of the work. The program is so well designed too, and the hosts are very welcoming, generous and helpful.

Jason and Laura