Library: Year Two

I arrived back in Nicaragua less than two weeks ago to begin my second year as the librarian at NCA. It's been a whirlwind to say the least.

Teacher Work Week
Sometime between all the necessary meetings, training my new assistants, and remembering all my school computer passwords, I had the pleasure of meeting all the new books that came off our shipping container this summer. There was definitely that Christmas feeling as I opened box after box of brand new books that I knew my students would love. We are still in the long process of getting all the books cataloged and ready for the shelves.

Next up was preparing the library for Open House.

Open House
I always look forward to Open House. The excitement, seeing the students after a long summer vacation, and the newness of an upcoming school year. This year was extra special for me because the students and parents were able to experience our new library... with AIR CONDITIONING. What a difference it makes to the space. The library is a much more enjoyable place when the heat doesn't knock you out the second you step in the room! During Open House, the students and parents came in, enjoyed the cool air, and checked out the newest books and library "friends". Thanks to my friends Sho and Melissa, and my sister Suzi, there are new stuffed animals for the students to read with in the library this year.

Students checking out the new books during Open House.

One of the 6th graders loves the new library friend!

Some of the elementary teachers dressed up for Open House.

Me with my roommate, Emily.

The First Week
School started last Tuesday and things are back in full swing.

Our first day of school assembly was held in the library. For the first time we weren't sweating as six classes squeezed together! 

The fourth grade class during their weekly library time. 

I'm happy to be back and to be sharing the joys of reading with my students. I praise God as I start year number five in Nicaragua. Year five - I can hardly believe it! More updates coming soon as the school year continues. Thank you to all my blog readers for sticking with me this long!

The 11 Course Meal

Every Wednesday night some of my friends and I gather to eat dinner together. We each take turns cooking the meal for everyone. It was my turn to cook the meal a few weeks ago. I was at the grocery store buying all the necessary groceries for the dinner when the father of two of my students saw me. He noticed that I had a lot of groceries for just one person, and I ended up explaining our Wednesday night dinner tradition to him. 

The next day at school he approached me and asked if he could host our dinner group at his recently opened coffee house. 

So this past Wednesday night we found ourselves in an adorable cafe, being treated to a home cooked, eleven course, Korean-influenced meal. 

Not all of the food is featured here, but this shows some of the variety we had. As soon as we finished with one course, the next appeared. We ate and ate and were surprised as each new item came out. Raw salmon, mussels, sushi, spicy noodles, salad, desert. Most of the food I had never tasted before in my life. I was apprehensive about trying the salmon and the mussels, but I was pleasantly surprised. Two words to describe the food: flavorful and delicious. 

While we ate, the father prepared the next course behind the scenes while his two children, students from my school, served as the waiters. They were both dressed up for the occasion. 

During the day, the coffee shop serves as a ministry base. The family hosts Bible studies every morning, and English and music lessons in the afternoon. They are helping the people of Nicaragua discover the joys of reading, music, and God's word.

The pictures don't do justice to how wonderful the night was. We were absolutely spoiled by a loving, thoughtful family. 

Teacher Exchange

There are three NCA schools in Nicaragua. I work at the international, primarily English-speaking campus. Our two sister schools operate in Spanish. One is located a few kilometers from my school, the other is a 2-3 hour car ride up into the mountains. To promote unity and to better learn from one another, some of the teachers from each school are participating in teacher exchanges. 

I recently hosted the librarian from NCA Nejapa. We spent the day talking about how we run our libraries, which websites are useful teaching tools, classroom management, how to create effective lessons for older students, and how to promote the love of reading in our schools. She interacted with my students and watched me teach a 1st grade library lesson. 

A couple of days later I spent the day at her library. I watched her teach a 1st grade, 4th grade, and 6th grade lesson. 

There is a huge difference between the amount and quality of resources at my school and most schools in the States. However, there is an even bigger difference between Nejapa's library and other libraries. Due to their lack of resources, students can't check out books from the Nejapa library. Even so, the librarian presented fun lessons and got the students reading during the short time they visited the library. I loved seeing her excitement for books, reading, and her students. 

Here are some pictures from my visit:

 

Although our schools, teaching styles, and languages are different, we both have the same goals for our students. We plan on keeping in touch throughout the school year and sharing our resources and brilliant ideas. 

Wacky Readers

NCA celebrated World Book Day this week. To prepare, students were encouraged to submit "Wacky Reader" pictures. Here are some of the submissions:

The teachers also got a little wacky:

To celebrate World Book Day, we decorated the library and got a popcorn machine.

All the students came to the library to watch a video presentation of the Wacky Reader photos.

It's 10 minute long, but if you want to see the video, here it is:

Then we participated in Drop Everything And Read. All the elementary students and teachers grabbed juice boxes and popcorn and found a shady place to read in the school court yard.

Finally, the teachers presented two book plays for the students: Scaredy Squirrel and Green Eggs and Ham.

That Wonderful Tile Floor

During my first year of teaching I had a lively group of students. I was in the middle of what I'm sure was a brilliantly delivered math lesson when I realized one of my students was not in their seat like they were five seconds before. A quick search found the student lying on the floor next to their desk, cheek pressed to the tile floor. 

Me: Is there a reason you are on the floor and not in your desk?

Student: I'm hot. 

Me: That didn't answer the question.

Student: It's REALLY hot in here, and the floor is cold on my face. I think I'll stay on the floor. 

I wasn't jiving with the student's story. School floors are nasty. Dirty shoes, cockroaches, and who knows what have been all over it. As a general rule, I don't go barefoot and I avoid sitting on the floor here.

Well. 

It's good and hot here right now. The heat index has reached the 100's, and I've officially changed my mind about the tile floors. Turns out they are nice and cool, just like my student said. I find my self choosing the floor over our comfy couches, which are actually ovens in disguise. This past week I caught myself watching figure skating on the floor, doing homework on the floor, and lying on the floor post-workout. 

This happened after school yesterday. 

After school I had a great plan to take a nap followed immediately by a freezing cold shower. As soon as I got home we realized there was no running water, so I cancelled my glorious plans. My floor isn't big enough to spread out on, so I booked it over to Emily's room. Sara came over soon after and joined us. When Amy came over a half hour later, she immediately plopped down and borrowed one of the coveted ice packs. I admit that we were still hot and sweaty and uncomfortable, but it was an improvement. 

I have a new appreciation for these floors. 

I should have gotten the hint two weeks ago. There is a rug in the library that the students always sit on during library time. It is big enough for a whole class of preschoolers or kindergartners to sit on. After they hit first grade some have to sit on the floor next to the rug because they don't all fit anymore. Usually the students rush to sit on the rug because it is way more comfortable than the floor. 

So two weeks ago a class came in after recess (where they had been running around and playing in the sun) and sat down on the rug in the library (which is without open windows, AC, and fans). Almost immediately after sitting down, students left their prized spots on the rug and went to sit on the hard tile. Soon the rug was empty and all the students were seated around the perimeter. I asked, they told me it was too hot for the rug, I didn't understand. Now I get it. I'd choose the floor too. 

The good news is that we should have AC in the library in the next couple of weeks! 

And all this heat isn't ruining the beautiful new library. This upcoming week we will celebrate World Book Day with activities and books, books, books. Update to follow soon!