dinar a tardor

After almost a month of no posts (sorry guys!) I am back. I am happy to report that I have recieved my first paycheck! yay! 700 euros is nothign to brag about but enought to live off of. I am getting well-adjusted in my school. The students are feeling more confident about speaking to me in English and they get excited asking me questions about California and celebrities. I shoudl begin working with the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in small groups this coming week. I have an arrangement to work as a "monitor" during the primary (1st, 2nd, 3rd graders') lunch. I get paid for 3 hours of work per week, under the table as I do not have a work visa, and all I do is walk around thecafeteria and talk tot he students in English. It is a lot of fun! Even though their English is much more limited, they are less embarrassed to speak and more eager to talk!

Yesterday, I was able to participate in a 5th and 6th grade tradition at CEIP Catalunya. Students assemble themselves in groups of 5 and are in charge of planning, making/cooking, and then decorating an autumn picnic feast. All of the students brign their food and decorations to school and then we take a walking fieldtrip to a nearby park. Once there, students are given 30 minutes to set up their picnics. Afterwards, the teachers walk around judging and sampling the students' meals. There are 5 awards that are given out: the most organized group, most creative meal and decorations, the most healthy/balanced meal, the most "autumn" inspired meal and decorations, and the best presenation. The students were awared little hokey prizes like jumbo pencils and stickers, but the honor of being a winner out of nearly 20 groups was almost reward enough.

Here are some pictures to help illustrate the event:


This is an example of a meal created by students. Notice the leaves on the picnic blanket? They are lamenated decorations. How cute!

This is a group of sx grade students preparing their feast.

Laia and Marta, two 5th grade girls, with their light up Halloween flutes.

A homemade (can you believe it!?) placement.

And the judging begins! Oh did I mention we got smaples at every group like this. Oh was I full!

Me (right) with Joan, the English teacher (center) and Rebeca (left)

If you want to see more pictures, you can click this link to view my facebook album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2313907&l=44d60&id=3300431