Tales of a Fourth Grade Science Fair

My students dressed up for the Science Fair on Friday Oct. 29th and they all looked so cute. Here are a few pictures I took throughout the day. It was a crazy day and I was glad when it was over. But I was so proud of my students for completing great projects and for presenting them so well!!!


My adorable boys.




My adorable girls.




Ronalt won the 2nd place in all of 4th grade!! :)





They looked so professional standing by their projects ready to answer the judge's questions. I love every single one of these kids :)



~Diana

The Faces of Copan

Ruinas de Copan PREVIEW

This weekend we traveled 8 hours north to a Mayan city. We had the chance to see some Mayan ruins, amongst other things...

Reflections after Finals

Despite numerous worries about how my students were going to perform for me this quarter, I am happy to report that they stepped up to the challenge presented by my high expectations. They diligently carried the burden of a heavy and challenging workload and their efforts paid off. This is not to say that I had an overwhelming number of A’s, but only that the students were able to sufficiently display to me on their final exams the effort and work, as well as developments, that they have put in and made over the past eight weeks.

It warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face when one of my students commented to me that he was more proud of the 90 he had earned on my exam, than the 97 he received on his math exam. I know this feeling of pride well. It is the point at which learning transcends grades. It took me years, and the assistance of key educators who were willing and darning to push me, to finally come to this realization. It is my pedagogical hope that I might facilitate this revelation for more of my students.

After handing the exams back I was able to both commend and exhort my students. Commendations were in order for those who actualized their potential. Exhortations were given to those who still languish in the realm of possibility.

-BP

C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A

I got to see my family!


With my 7th grade girls!!!



Katie and Aaron




At the USC game with Kim and Erica



Having some cake with the birthday girl

Oops!!

~Diana

The Light of Prayer

Prayer candles at Catedral Suyapa:



~B.P

Wonderful Weekends

As much as I love teaching 4th grade and my wonderful group of students this year, I still always look forward to Friday afternoon. I think it is just a natural human trait to love and live for the weekend! October is proving to be a pretty good month for us so far (given it is only October 2nd) but already we have had so many fun events.
Friday night we attended an opera performance ( a first for both Ben and I) at a beautiful theater in Downtown Tegucigalpa. Like our friend Gary Potter noted, there were a lot of bigger ladies in shiny dresses, but over all a very fun experience shared with co-workers. After the performance, the Vinland's, Miriam and us headed to an Italian restaurant, Tre Franneli. We enjoyed some very good food, good music, and good company.




Saturday morning (today) we had a Honduran Festival at school from 10 AM to 2PM. The festival is called "Fiesta Catracha" "Catracho" is a nickname given to Hondurans, just like how Salvadoreans are called "guanacos" :) The Festival was super fun, there was food, drinks (horchata, tamarindo, sodas, etc) parents, students, dancing, a fashion show, information about various cities in Honduras that are worthy of being visited, and many other fun things for students to be a part of.
I decided to embrace the Honduran culture 100 % and I borrowed a typical dress from my friend Miriam to wear at the Fiesta. I used to wear dresses like that in El Salvador when we had performances and dances at school. It was fun wearing one of those dresses again. I might need to purchase my own, BUT let me clarify, if I do it will have to be from El Salvador :)

Our weekend is not over! Tomorrow we are heading over to Valle de Angeles, a picturesque near-by small town. Stay tuned for pictures of "the valley of angels".