Under the Sea in Kinder B! by Rachel Sunseri

Its crazy to think that we only have three more days at the Thomas Jefferson School here in Concepción! The school has been amazing; the staff and students are all so friendly and welcoming. I feel so comfortable at the school, that it´s hard to believe we are on an entirely different continent and have only been here a little more than two weeks!I work in Miss Alejandra´s kindergarten classroom. It is definitely an entirely new experience for me because in my field work at LSU, I have always worked with upper elementary grades. Trying to keep up with twenty-two adorable five year olds all day is fun, but definitely exhausting! The students just completed their Under the Sea unit, where they learned all sorts of vocabulary from seahorse to fisherman to submarine. I fall asleep every night with different songs about swimming with dolphins and splashing in the waves stuck in my head and of course, a kindergarten classroom would not be complete without plenty of crafts! We even were able to have a special snack one day, where students were able to try all different types of seafood. I am so sad to be leaving this wonderful class in a few days since there really is never a dull moment in Kinder B!

Trying seafood!

Under the sea paintings!

Making submarines!

Living Reality in the Land of the Surreal by Desiree Cho

Mt. Chillan with tiny puffs of steam
on the left peak

Every day, I go about a now-normalized routine: awaken, dress, eat breakfast, go to school, check in with our LSU students, do volunteer work at Thomas Jefferson, study for LSU, go home, spend time with my wonderful host family (the Zurita-Montalbetti crew), journal, and collapse into bed. It is not mundane at all, because I get to experience Chilean culture at its finest. Verónica, the mother of my host family, has introduced me to amazing foods (I have a whole list in my journal), and the Thomas Jefferson School is place where I continue to learn and grow as an educator.

For instance, during breaks and between classes, laughing students race through the hallways. At lunch the other day, I snuck up on a child who was sneaking up on his friend, and we all three laughed together. If only we could accomplish the same kind of light-hearted atmosphere in every school in the USA. Even young elementary students are clearly respected as people who can make their own decisions about how to conduct themselves in a hallway safely.

Salta del Laja

Happy moments with my host family and at school like these are bits of reality in what is overall a surreal experience. A couple of weekends ago, for example, I saw a volcano. For real. A volcano. Did I mention it was in the ANDES MOUNTAINS?! Mt. Chillan (Chee-ahn), where we hiked, enjoyed natural steam pools, and ate way too much good food, even sent us back to Concepción on our last day with waves of very small puffs of steam rising from the top. Such sites, to this Midwestern farm girl, are only places one can visit in a book.

This past weekend, we went to Salta del Laja (La-ha), a beautiful waterfall situated on the Laja River. Many have capitalized on the natural wonder, and there are hotels, restaurants, and artisans selling crafts, all who are situated around the cascade. Short trails bring you close to the falls, and spectacular views can be had almost everywhere you point a camera.

I am so grateful that I was able to come on the trip, meet hospitable members of the community here in Concepción, witness good teaching, and see students happy to be in school—all in shadows of the places a gringa (an affectionate term Chileans use to refer to foreigners) like me could only read about.

Pucon Weekend Getaway by Emily Nickles

When I was told I was going to the mountains for the weekend I figured it was where everyone had been going.  Little did I know we were going to Pucon.  It is in the mountains about 5 or 5 and a half hours Southeast.    There is a volcano, a national park, a very touristy spot.  We left Friday and had a great drive, lots to look at and beautiful things to see.  There were multiple rainbows because of all the rain.  Also there were seven of us on this trip, my family, and Cristian's mom came too, so lots of people to keep the ride entertaining!

Best picture I could get in the car

When we arrived we had an awesome once (a light dinner).  They had such fresh fruit, and bread, and we were able to sit by the fire.  We also were able to have a pretty good conversation, my Spanish is coming back more than I thought, and Gloria's English has seemed to be getting better too!  After we shopped a bit in the stores and were able to go into Gloria's favorite store. 

Me and Mama (grandmother) in Gloria's favorite store

When we got to the apartment we were staying in after our once I found out I got to share bunk beds with the girls!  They were so excited about the bunk beds, as all kids I feel like are.  The girls told me I had to have the bottom because they wanted the top, which was fine by me!  There was also a beautiful view from the window in the room we were staying in, probably my favorite view of the whole trip!  Every time I looked out it would look different from the fog, I LOVE that!

Girls on the bunk bed!

AMAZING view!!

Saturday we went to this really cool store we had driven by on the way in.  It had huge windows for the front walls.  It had all wood things inside, which I think is just very interesting all the things people can make with wood.  They made wood flowers that were so beautiful if they weren't so big I would have bought some!

Had to take the picture of the one with LSU colors!

Finally we headed into the mountains.  We drove for a little over an hour and finally arrived at the spa/thermal baths.  The spa was beautiful we had an AWESOME lunch, and then headed into the thermal baths. 

Girls at lunch!

Florencia in the thermal baths

The girls loved my underwater camera, although the excitement only lasted for about 20 minutes, then they were over it.  We did get a few good pictures. They really wanted to swim but the pools were so small that it was difficult for them to get around without hitting other people.  They still seemed to have fun but after an hour were ready for the next activity. 

Fernanda and Francisca

Finally the adult girls got massages.  Gloria set me up with a massage with hot rocks, it was AMAZING.  Of course I was super nervous that the rocks would be really hot so when she actually put them on me I flinched, really bad.  It became a pretty awkward situation because I didn't know how to say I was just nervous but am fine.  Finally she understood and continued.  Lets just say within the thirty minutes I fell asleep, so relaxing.  

Sunday after breakfast we went to some markets.  There were so many little, and big things being sold.  It was really neat to see all they had, they seemed to have a whole lot made of wood and a whole lot of things made from alpaca.  The strangest thing I saw was what looked like a hoof made into a cup type thing.  I really was confused as to what anyone would want it for.  I guess you never know!  

THE HOOF

I had an amazing weekend with my family!  I am so sad to think we only have 4 full days left with our families, but am so excited to head to Buenos Aires.  Such a bittersweet feeling! Just hoping I can have just as much fun with my family these next few days as I have been having!

Sounds Forgotten and Missing by Reagan Mitchell

Sometimes I get so consumed by the daily grind and do not think about what is forgotten and missing. This stretches across many fields, however for this reflection I will confine what is forgotten and missing to sound.

            Sound is something that awakens nostalgia and incites dreaming. The sound of a huge body of water is one that I will never grow tired of. Being in Concepción, Chile, I have had this thought each time when visiting areas in close proximity to the Pacific Ocean.  My prior experiences with the Pacific Ocean involved only a combined two hours during family trips to San Diego, California. In these moments what I was most taken with was the sound of the ocean. Definitely a sound I had forgotten which I have been reminded about during my time in Concepción, Chile.

            The missing sound for me is laughter in my learning. In my two weeks at Thomas Jefferson School laughter is one sound I have heard plenty of. I noticed this in my observations of the children racing through the halls to classes as well as in classroom. Some sort of laughter is always part of these occurrences and I have found it immensely pleasurable.   

       

            

Un Gran Viaje! by Taylor Hall

I have so much to catch everyone up on! So far, my experience in Chile has been amazing. My host family is wonderful--I have a host-mom, host-dad, and host-sister, Sofia, who is in the 3rd grade at Thomas Jefferson. The first few days I was here the family took me around to different areas of Concepcion.

One of the most memorable places I visited was the fish market in Talcahuano, which was incredible! In my head I was picturing a local neighborhood seafood market, which is what I am accustomed to, being from New Orleans. Well, it was nothing like that. We parked the car and the second I stepped foot onto the pavement a huge whiff of fish hit my nose. As we made our way down the sidewalk towards the market there were handfuls of people selling HUGE crabs, freshly baked bread, jewelry, caramel popcorn, sausage, meats, fresh produce, etc. ... not to mention the sea-lions playing in the water nearby. When we finally made it into the market, it was a long and narrow open-air room. There were about 10 different stands set up with all sorts of fish freshly caught that day. In addition to fish, they had seaweed, oysters, shrimp, crabs, sea urchin (which I tried!), and mussels, that were straight out of the water. Being from the south, seafood is a huge part of my life. I LOVED seeing all the varieties in fish that Talcahuano had to offer. My host-dad, his brother, Sofia and I picked out some enormous crab claws, shrimp, sea urchin, and a white-flaky fish to bring home. The second we got home the family started preparing all the seafood for a grand almuerzo (lunch). So far, it has been my favorite meal!

This past weekend my host-family took me to their farm in Linares, North-East of Concepcion (about a 2 hour car ride). It is a small town with vast expanses of farm land. We pulled into the property Friday evening and were greeted by their 3 dogs. Two of the dogs were enormous, they looked like miniature horses! The other dog was a small Jack-Russell Terrier looking type. That night was pretty quiet since it was dark when we arrived. The next morning we woke up and went on a walk around the property. At the farm they primarily harvest blueberries, but they also grow an assortment of apples, apricots, figs, hazelnuts, and a few other fruits. It isn't blueberry season right now but all the bushes were a bright red color which was extremely pretty against the beautiful blue sky we had that day. I took lots of pictures of the dogs and the farm, but unfortunately I am having troubles uploading my pictures to the blog.

School is wonderful! My host-teacher, Miss. Maria Elena Hernandez is amazing, and I have really enjoyed my time with her so far and learning all that she has to offer about Science and American History.  This is the first year Thomas Jefferson is implementing American History into their Social Studies curriculum. My host-teacher teaches science to 1st and 2nd, and Social Studies to 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Currently, most of the Social Studies classes are learning about the Pilgrims, the 13 colonies, and the American Revolution. This class was perfect for me to be placed in because my concentration during undergraduate at LSU was American History. I love Miss. Maria Elena's lessons and all of her creative activities she has the students working on. Being in Social Studies is making me think about getting my Social Studies add-on certificate so that I can teach more grades!

I wish I could upload all the wonderful pictures I have taken so far, but hopefully next time I blog I will have found a way!

Getting Settled by Maddy Womack

Since I last posted things have only gotten more settled and more comfortable. It has been so great. Last week was my "Aunt Paty's" birthday, but she's more like an older sister. We went out and had pizza and some drinks Friday night, which was a lot of fun because I got to meet and talk with her husband, Raul, and her two friends. Paty and her two friends are also teachers at a different school!

Raul, Paty, me and Mike all having a great time!

Saturday night we had dinner with Fabiola's family to celebrate Paty's birthday with the whole family. It was so delicious! We had ceviche, awesome guacamole, tasty green sauce and tacos. Yum! All prepared with love by some true Chileans. Fabiola's parents do not speak English but they still make me feel right at home. The entire family seems very happy to have me, what more could I ask for?

The whole family talking and celebrating!

A better shot of all the delicious food!!

Our very own Chilean wine spokeswoman!

Sunday we went to the Universidad de Concepcion, which is where Fabiola and Juan Carlos both work. It was a beautiful campus with lots of happy people. There was a heritage festival going on so there were a few informational exhibits that were interesting, like one had a bunch of Chilean-native animals! There was a taxidermic puma, ostrich, birds, and bugs, spiders, fish and more! Very interesting, and Antonia seemed to enjoy it!

A "quad" area at Universidad de Concepcion with the Chilean and University flags flying

The week at school has been great so far. I really like and appreciate the teacher I am with. She has taught be a lot about classroom management. I also like her because she sets a great example. She does so much for the school, some not even having to do with music. She is very humble and admirable. In the classes, I have taught the younger kids the hokey pokey which they all love. We go around and each person takes a turn saying which body part you "put in." This helps them practice their english too! I have also taught the kids the song "My Bonnie," which my teacher realized is relevant because here in Chile, May is the month of the sea. "My Bonnie" has lyrics, "My Bonnie lies over the ocean, my Bonnie lies over the sea..." This is another exercise to practice english because before we sing, the kids have to explain the meaning of the english lyrics. The students' favorite, though, that I have taught them is the cup activity. Once the kids get the hang of it, the popular response is "De nuevo, de nuevo!!" (Again, again!!) Here is a video of the cup activity in the 3rd grade class.

The school really is a great place where kids learn, but play is accepted. Kids can be kids without question. It's definitely a change of pace, but it is very eye opening.

Teaching Tigers at Thomas Jefferson by Leah Katherine Saal

Our introduction to the Thomas Jefferson School (TJS) started with a grand tour from the classrooms to the art studio, the Taekwondo dojo, and the in-house welders who make the school's furniture. The tour was followed by a welcome breakfast.  TJS is so gracious, not only opening their classrooms to our students, but their hospitality and creativity as well.

No bullying, Dr. Denny!

The welders making school furniture. 

Enjoying breakfast

 

Last week was our first week in the school.  We have several teachers placed in the Education Parvularia (Preschool) in the Pre-Kinder and Kinder. As evident in songs, circle time, and snacks, May has been “Sea Month,” so the students’ curriculum has integrated all things sea from counting fish to the trip to the marine biology center in Allyson’s blog. 

Circle time

Under the sea...

We also have students placed in Education Basica (Elementary).  Several students, Margaret, Hannah, Gabby, Emily, and Kasey have all helped the school by substitute teaching for the first two days.  We are so proud that they were able to jump in and enseñar (teach) on day one.  Way to Geaux ladies!  Kasey will be filling in permanently for the science teacher while she is here, since the teacher is ill.  In Ensenaza Media (Middle Grades), we have students placed in matemáticas (math) and ciencia (science).  Loren is placed in art. They are working on everything from abstracto (abstracts) to representations of Mapuche (the indigenous people of Chile) folk tales.      

Kasey in Technology

Emily in 4th Grade Science

Margaret in 2nd and 3rd Grade Science