I had an awesome experience with the ELL students from Lewiston High. While I love teaching, having the opportunity to eat lunch with them prior to instruction was so much fun. One student in particular who I sat next to had only been in the United States for three months. I asked him some questions regarding his home and said that his father stayed back and did not come. What I found fascinating was that English was his fourth language and he did not feel like he was very good at it, when in fact, he sounded fluent. I commended him on his English and he said, "No, It's not that great."
Most all of the male students participated in some sort of athletics whether it was soccer or track and field. One of them mentioned that everyday after school they would go down to the fields and play soccer until sundown. When I asked him what happened when the snow came, he said that they go to Portland to play... Dedicated is an understatement.
During instruction all of the students worked hard and asked questions when they needed to. It seemed like they all had a lot of fun. At times some of them would get frustrated with the use of Google SketchUp, as there was a bit of a learning curve to it--especially the use of the protractor. I did see, however, a group of two with one student who was very bright. He assisted his peer when he was struggling and started speaking to him in their language (please excuse my ignorance) to help him out. It was great to see them working together to better understand what they were doing.
All in all an awesome experience... I wish we had more time with them!
Most all of the male students participated in some sort of athletics whether it was soccer or track and field. One of them mentioned that everyday after school they would go down to the fields and play soccer until sundown. When I asked him what happened when the snow came, he said that they go to Portland to play... Dedicated is an understatement.
During instruction all of the students worked hard and asked questions when they needed to. It seemed like they all had a lot of fun. At times some of them would get frustrated with the use of Google SketchUp, as there was a bit of a learning curve to it--especially the use of the protractor. I did see, however, a group of two with one student who was very bright. He assisted his peer when he was struggling and started speaking to him in their language (please excuse my ignorance) to help him out. It was great to see them working together to better understand what they were doing.
All in all an awesome experience... I wish we had more time with them!