Salvador is beautiful. As we are in our last week in Brazil, there was not better place to end our journey. Here I was able to taste, feel, see, smell the rich history of the country and its diversity. Brazil has a long history of slavery, Portuguese Imperialism, and even many Confederates moved to Brazil after the Civil War. It is a mosaic of color and global influence. It was dressed in its funnest finery for the festival of St. James. And, then it was time to go. Eighteen days. I've connected with teachers and as the year progresses we will connect our students in a variety of ways. We'll investigate a different culture through song and literature, we'll examine each other's perspectives, we'll communicate via the majic of internet, and perphaps students will act in some way that impacts the future of humanity and the planet.
0 Comments
My travel partner and I lost count of how many pieces of banana cake we consumed in Nova Campina. It's an upside down cake made with bananas grown right in Nova Campina.
A beautiful weekend with Brazilian BBQ and a trip up the mountain with several teachers from the Nova Campina school. A pic nic up top and a family dinner provided a relaxing weekend before we went to see students. It's beautiful and not much unlike Georgia. Lush green pastures, agriculture, and most interesting--red clay. Students often asked what students were like in the U.S. They are the same. Different language, different places on the planet, same drama, same love of music, dance, love, fun. We face similar challenges in keeping students engaged and in school. Brazil offers many more paths for education that we do right now in the States. Federal Institutes offer flexible hours and vocational training although they are located primarily in large city centers. Places like Itapeva and Nova Campina do not have as many options. Technology is available and the teachers work to provide every opportunity for their students to dream, plan, prepare, and reach those dreams. Many students dream of coming to America. A little over a two hour flight from Brasilia to Sao Paulo then a three hour car ride saw us safely to Itapeva. As was the case all throughout Brazil, we received a warm welcome with, of course, local food. On our last day before heading north to Salvador, we visited a fabulous school in Itapeva. We met an English teacher who used American songs to teach students the language. They played guitars, sang, danced, and created posters with lyrics for other students to see. This school had a student who was hearing impaired, so they got together with the staff and began teaching sign language. The chorus sang a song while signing. It was quite beautiful. We visited several classrooms and saw science fair projects and how the students are learning about environmental issues so crucial to their country. We observed a theatre class performing shadow plays. Finally, we sat on a panel for the student body. Select students had prepared thoughtful questions to ask us about schools and students in America and did so in English. While we are accustomed to people everywhere speaking English that is not the case in Brazil, especially outside city centers. English Language learning is mandated by law, and the United States does a great deal to support that effort. Organizations through the US State Department design and distribute lesson plans, materials, and even video games for students of all levels.
|
Jayme Holaway HicksMs. Hicks is a 12th grade Language Arts and Advanced Placement teacher at Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia. Archives
October 2015
Categories
All
|