Checking in on classes

Homestays in Playa Gigante were full of games, routine power outages, shared meals, and of course many opportunities to practice communicating in Spanish!  Intermediate and beginning Spanish students shared some of their favorite memories in their weekly language journals:

Intermediate Spanish

"Mi memoria mas feliz con mi 'familia' fue cuando no había electricidad y Hannah y yo hicimos un luz con una lampara, linea, y duct tape.  Entonces, nuestras "hermanos" y nosotras coloramos en libros con plumas y crayones.  Yo escuché musica con los chicos y Rosita y yo bailamos.  Fue muy divertido y nosotros reimos mucho.  Tambien, Rosita le gusta sonreir en lugar de hablar.  Nosotras tuvimos muchos momentos de conocimiento.  En la noche, Hannah, Rosita y yo mirabamos "Hasta El Fin del Mundo." Juntos, nosotros nos conocimos muy bien y tuvimos un buen tiempo."

- Kaitlyn, Sophomore, Pennsylvania 

Translation:

"My happiest memory with my host family was when there was no electricity and Hannah and I made light with a flashlight, line, and duct tape.  The , or host brothers and we colored in books with markers and crayons.  I listened to music with the boys, and Rosita and I danced.  It was really fun and we laughed a lot.  Also, Rosita likes to smile instead of talking.  We had lots of bonding moments.  At night, Hannah, Rosita, and I watched 'Hasta el Fin del Mundo' (a telenovela). We got to know each other really well, and had a good time."

Beginning Spanish

"Un momento importante para mi fue cuando yo tuve una conversacion con mi 'madre.' El nombre de ella es Carla. Nosotros tuvimos muchas conversaciones, pero nosotros hablamos sobre mujeres y chicas en Nicaragua. Ella dijo que cuando una chica tiene quince años, ella esta lista para un bebe.  Muchas chicas estan embarasadas cuando ellas tienen 13, 14, 15 años.  Los padres de los bebes tienen 19 o 20 años en general.  Ella dijo que ella piensa que es muy triste porque las chicas son muy joven."

- Maddy, Sophomore, California 

Translation:

"An improtant moment for me was when I had a conversation with my host mother.  Her name is Carla.  We had lots of conversations, but this time, we talked about women and girls in Nicaragua.  She said that when a girl is fifteen years old, she is ready for a baby.  Many girls are pregnant when they are 13, 14, 15 years old.  The fathers of the babies are 19 or 20 years old in general.  She said that she thinks it is very sad because the girls are so young."

Literature:

My train is moving forward

and yet I am looking back

sunken eyes focused on the shrinking

horizon

As all the faces I know become fog

I am rolling

The lines on these maps become the

lines on my face

I am growing

like the tree that sits outside

my old window

My branches are reaching forward

but my roots are lingering back

What will happen if this train

keeps going?

What will happen when this

train stops?

I am rolling

If what waits for me, finds me

will I be home?

Poem by Katy, Junior, Illinois

Rap-master Madeline, Senior, Washington wrote this the other day:

Let's talk about immigration

Specifically into the United States

Nation

And I know this subject brings

Frustration

Especially with all the deportation

Families are experiencing separation

During their journey for liberation

And even at their working station

They may notice segregation

So what's with all the immigration?

And why to our unfair nation?

Everyone involved can't

escape the frustration

And there's a noticeable growth in

deportation

Our country's experiencing separation

And is losing liberation

So we'll buy our kid the new play station

So they won't notice the segregation

Creative math moments:

Hi! Just finished up a sweet global class...here's a tidbit

Our unit on immigration culminated with a mock conference on immigration policy in the U.S. in which students used their persuasive public speaking skills to argue various approaches to immigration reform.  Maddy, McKinley and Katy presented the subcommittee (Izzy, Sadie, and Sarah Jane) with this cartoon to support their argument that the U.S. should address root causes to make immigration unnecessary.

Happy earth day 🌎

Last week in History class, students interviewed hotel staff on the political systems, land disputes, and other interesting subjects to learn about Costa Rica. One of the more fascinating discussions was hearing Costa Rican perspectives on the San Juan River debate after listening to Nicaraguan views during the homestays. Up next students will explore why the nation has no military, what historical context surrounded that decision, and how it affects the country.